21 january 2015 consti

8/9/2019 21 January 2015 Consti

1/36

Republic of the Philippines

Supreme Court

Manila

THIRD DIVISION

PEOPLE O THE PHILIPPINES! "#R# No# $%&'('

Plaintiff-Appellee,

Present:

YNARES-SANTIAGO,J.,

Chairperson, - versus - AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CHICO-NAZARIO,

NACHURA, and REYES,JJ

Pr!"#l$ated:

ROMMEL DEL) CR*+!

A%%#sed-Appellant &e%e"'er (), *++

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

D E C I S I O N

RE,ES! R#T#!J#-

MUR&ER is !ne !f t.e !di!#s %ri"es a "an %an %!""it a$ainst an!t.er It is n! respe%ter !f 'l!!d

relati!ns

A%%#sed-appellant R!""el dela Cr#/ see0s a re1ersal !f .is %!n1i%ti!n '2 t.e C!#rt !f Appeals 3CA45(6and t.e Re$i!nal Trial C!#rt 3RTC45*6f!r "#rder

The acts

Mari! Pader, Mann2 7is%a2a and Rafael Santarin are nei$.'!rs and friends586 Santarin and appellan

&ela Cr#/ are first %!#sins596

On A#$#st , (;;


2/36

S#ddenl2, appellant %a"e fr!" 'e.ind and sta''ed Santarin 5(86!n%e5(96 Santarin fell t! t.e $r!#nd, %.infirst5(


3/36

an$r2 =it. t.e" and .is si'lin$s5886 He slept in a par0ed passen$er Feep t.at =as .alf a 0il!"eter a=a2 fr!" .is

parents .!#se5896 He =!0e #p at 8:++ a"58e'r#ar2 *), *++(, t.e trial %!#rt rendered a F#d$"ent !f %!n1i%ti!n, disp!sin$ as f!ll!=s:

HERE>ORE, pre"ises %!nsidered, t.is C!#rt finds t.e a%%#sed ROMMEB &EBACRUZ /uilt0'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t as prin%ipal !f Mur.er, as defined and penali/ed #nder

Arti%le *9 !f t.e Re1ised Penal C!de, as a"ended '2 Se%ti!n ) !f Rep A%t N!

)


4/36

*PON THE VIE1 1E T)2E O THESE C)SES! TH*S! t.e appealed &e%isi!n

findin$ t.e a%%#sed-appellant R!""el &ela Cr#/ $#ilt2 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t !f "#rder, andsenten%in$ .i" t! s#ffer t.e penalt2 !f reclusion

perpetua, is )IRMED=it. MODIIC)TION T.e %i1il aspe%t !f t.e %ase

!f MODIIED t! read: t.e a%%#sed-appellant is .ere'2ORDERED t! pa2 t.e .eirs !f t.e1i%ti" t.e a"!#nts !f P


5/36

M!re t.an t.at, a readin$ !f t.e testi"!n2 !f 7is%a2a =!#ld s.!= t.at t.e trial %!#rt did n!t, in an2 =a2

err in %ali'ratin$ t.e %redi'ilit2 !f .is testi"!n2:

MANNY 7ISCAYAS &IRECT EKAMINATION CON&UCTE&

@Y PU@BIC PROSECUTOR >IBOMENO @AAR

>is%al: On A#$#st , (;;< at ar!#nd :++ !%l!%0 in t.e e1enin$, d! 2!# still re"e"'er 2!#r=.erea'!#tsL

itness: I =as t.ere at t.e side !f t.e barangay.all

: N!=, =ere 2!# al!ne t.en !r d! 2!# .a1e %!"pani!n =it. 2!# !n said pla%eL

A: Mari! Pader =as =it. "e and =e =ere tal0in$

: 1ho else 4ere there! if 0ou 5no46

A: 1e 4ere 7 then! Rafael Santarin! Mario Pa.er an. m0self#

: 1hile the 7 of 0ou 4ere con3ersin/ on )u/ust %! $''& at aroun. %-88 p#m#! .o 0ou

remember if an0 unusual inci.ent that transpire.6

A: 1hile 4e 4ere con3ersin/! I spotte. Rommel .ela Cru9 on our bac5#

: Ho4 far 4as Rommel .ela Cru9 from 0ou 4hen 0ou sa4 him6A: He 4as about t4o :(; meters a4a0 from us#

: .at =as .e d!in$ =.en 2!# sa= .i" f!r t.e first ti"e in t.at distan%e f!r t=! 3*4 "etersLA: He =as standin$ t.ere, Sir

: )fter seein/ him! 4hat happene.6

A: 1hen I sa4 him comin/ from our bac5! he imme.iatel0 attac5e.#

: 1hom .i. he attac56A: Rafael Santarin! Sir#

: So! 4hen 0ou sai. attac5! 4hat actuall0 .o 0ou mean b0 that6A: Rafael Santarin 4as stabbe.! Sir#

:


6/36

Interpreter: The 4itness pointe. to a person insi.e the courtroom 4ho i.entifie. himself as

Rommel .ela Cru96

>is%al: Ho4 4ere 0ou able to see the stabbin/ of the 3ictim in this case b0 Rommel .ela

Cru9 4hen accor.in/ to 0ou! 0our bac5 4as a/ainst him6

itness:


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: 1hat .i. 0ou tell the police6

A: I tol. them that I sa4 the inci.ent#

:


8/36

A: Yes, Sir, '2 "ere =al0in$, !ne =!#ld rea%. t.e pla%e !f t.e in%ident fr!" t.e pla%e =.ere I

#sed t! sleep in fr!nt !f t.e ele"entar2 s%.!!l, Sir5(6

An!t.er %ir%#"stan%e =.i%. $larin$l2 p!ints t! t.e $#ilt !f appellant is .is fli$.t, n!t !nl2 fr!" t.e

s%ene !f t.e %ri"e, '#t als! fr!" t.e %l#t%.es !f t.e a#t.!rities >li$.t !f an a%%#sed fr!" t.e s%ene !f t.e%ri"e re"!1es an2 re"ainin$ s.red !f d!#'t !n .is $#ilt 5*6 Indeed, t.e =i%0ed flee, =.en n! "an p#rs#et.

'#t t.e inn!%ent are '!ld as a li!n586

C!nsider t.e f!ll!=in$:

>irst On t.e ni$.t !f t.e 0illin$, appellant did n!t $! .!"e t! .is parents .!#se and instead slept inside

a par0ed passen$er Feep =.i%. =as .alf a 0il!"eter a=a2 fr!" .is parents .!#se His reas!n =as .is alle$edan$er =it. .is parents and si'lin$s He did n!t, .!=e1er, eplain =.at %a#sed .is an$er f!r .is parents and

si'lin$s =.i%. %!#ld .a1e "ade .is %lai" !f n!t $!in$ .!"e !n t.at ni$.t 'elie1a'le

Se%!nd Appellant pr!%eeded t! t.e pier at 8:++ a" and t!!0 a '!at f!r Ce'# Cit2 =.ere .e ad"ittedl2

sta2ed f!r 9 2ears

T.ird Alt.!#$. .e and .is fa"il2 ret#rned t! Cal!!%an Cit2 in (;;;, appellant !pted n!t t! sta2 in t.

%it2 He instead =ent t! Ta'an$, Plaridel, @#la%an =.ere .e t!ld .is relati1es t.at .is "!t.er =as 0eepin$ .i"a=a2 as .is life =as in dan$er He als! t!ld t.e" t.at .e feared f!r .is life 'e%a#se .e =as a%%#sed !f 0illin$ .i

first %!#sin

>!#rt. C!ntin#in$ .is fli$.t, appellant finall2 s!#$.t san%t#ar2 in t.e .!#se !f .is relati1es in N#e1a

E%iFa =.ere .e =as e1ent#all2 %a#$.t

Ta0en all t!$et.er, t.ese %ir%#"stan%es s.!= t.at appellant entertained fear f!r =.at .ad .appened t! .i

first %!#sin T.is %!#ld .ardl2 'e t.e %!nd#%t !f an inn!%ent "an

In .is s#pple"ental 'rief,596appellant als! %lai"s t.at t.e n!n-presentati!n !f Pader as =itness is

tanta"!#nt t! s#ppressi!n !f e1iden%eJ5


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Appellant is "ista0en T.ere is trea%.er2 =.en a 1i%ti" is set #p!n '2 t.e a%%#sed =it.!#t =arnin$

=.en t.e atta%0 is s#dden and #nepe%ted and =it.!#t t.e sli$.test pr!1!%ati!n !n t.e part !f t.e 1i%ti" !r is,in an2 e1ent, s! s#dden and #nepe%ted t.at t.e 1i%ti" is #na'le t! defend .i"self, t.#s ins#rin$ t.e ee%#ti!n

!f t.e %ri"inal a%t =it.!#t ris0 t! t.e assailant5(6 In !rder t! s#stain a findin$ !f trea%.er2, t=! %!nditi!ns

"#st 'e present, t! =it: 3(4 t.e e"pl!2"ent !f "eans !f ee%#ti!n t.at $i1e t.e pers!n atta%0ed n!!pp!rt#nit2 t! defend .i"self !r retaliate and 3*4 t.e "eans !f ee%#ti!n =ere deli'eratel2 !r %!ns%i!#sl2

ad!pted5*6

Appellants atta%0 !n Santarin =as s! s#dden and la#n%.ed fr!" 'e.ind t.at t.e latter =as %a#$.t !ff$#ard Appellant $a1e t.e 1i%ti" n! !pp!rt#nit2 t! defend .i"self, as t.e latter =as inn!%entl2 %!n1ersin$ =it.

7is%a2a and Pader Appellants atta%0 =as s=ift, deli'erate and #nepe%ted586 T.ere =as n! sli$.test

pr!1!%ati!n !n t.e part !f Santarin Trea%.er2 is, =it.!#t ?#esti!n, present

It is %lear fr!" t.e re%!rds t.at appellant .ad p!ndered #p!n t.e "!de !r "et.!d !f .is atta%0 t! ins#re

t.e 0illin$ !f Santarin !r re"!1e !r di"inis. an2 ris0 t! .i"self t.at "i$.t arise fr!" t.e defense t.at Santarin"i$.t "a0e Appellantsuddenly stabbed Santarin at the back,even in the absence of provocation'2 t.e

1i%ti",t! ins#re .i"self a$ainst t.e ris0 fr!" an2 p!ssi'le defense t.at Santarin "i$.t "a0e

&r M#!/, =.! %!nd#%ted t.e a#t!ps2 !n Santarins %!rpse, als! f!#nd !#t t.at Santarin s#stained !ne

sta' =!#nd at t.e 'a%0 p!rti!n !f .is '!d2, =.i%. %a#sed .is deat. T.is %!rr!'!rated t.e testi"!n2 !f 7is%a2at.at appellant sta''ed t.e 1i%ti" !n%e at t.e 'a%0
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn81http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn82http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn83http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn81http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn82http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2008/december2008/175929.htm#_ftn83


10/36

In !ne %ase, t.is C!#rt r#led t.at trea%.er2 attended t.e 0illin$ !f t.e 1i%ti" sin%e t.e sta''in$ =as

s#dden and #nepe%ted, and t.e 1i%ti" =as n!t !nl2 #nar"ed, '#t =as #na'le t! defend .i"selfJ 596 In an!t.er%ase5


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=it. t.e desi$nati!n !f t.e !ffense and a state"ent !f t.e a%ts %!nstit#tin$ t.e !ffense as re?#ired

in Se%ti!ns and ; !f R#le ((+, is s#ffi%ient t! =arn t.e a%%#sed

T.e =!rds a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%esJ in%l#de ?#alif2in$

%ir%#"stan%esJ #alif2in$ %ir%#"stan%es are a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es =.i%., '2 epresspr!1isi!n !f la=, %.an$e t.e nat#re !f t.e %ri"e t! a .i$.er %ate$!r2 T.e =!rds attendant

%ir%#"stan%es,J =.i%. still appear in Arti%le *9 3raisin$ .!"i%ide t! "#rder4, refer t!

?#alif2in$ %ir%#"stan%es t.!se a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es t.at, '2 epress pr!1isi!n !f la=,

%.an$e t.e nat#re !f t.e %ri"e =.en present in t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e %ri"e

Se%ti!n ;, R#le ((+ !f t.e Re1ised R#les !f Cri"inal Pr!%ed#re states t.at t.e

?#alif2in$ and a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es "#st 'e stated in

!rdinar2 and %!n%ise lan$#a$e and n!t ne%essaril2 in t.e lan$#a$e #sed in t.e

stat#te '#t in ter"s s#ffi%ient t! ena'le a pers!n !f %!""!n #nderstandin$ t!0n!= 3t.e4 ?#alif2in$ and a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es J

T.#s, e1en t.e attendant %ir%#"stan%e itself, =.i%. is t.e essential ele"ent t.at raises t.e%ri"e t! a .i$.er %ate$!r2, need n!t 'e stated in t.e lan$#a$e !f t.e la= it. "!re reas!n, t.e

=!rds a$$ra1atin$?#alif2in$ %ir%#"stan%esJ as #sed in t.e la= need n!t appear in t.eInf!r"ati!n, espe%iall2 sin%e t.ese =!rds are "erel2 des%ripti1e !f t.e attendant %ir%#"stan%es

and d! n!t %!nstit#te an essential ele"ent !f t.e %ri"e T.ese =!rds are als! n!t ne%essar2 ininf!r"in$ t.e a%%#sed t.at .e is %.ar$ed !f a ?#alified %ri"e .at pr!perl2 inf!r"s t.e

a%%#sed !f t.e nat#re !f t.e %ri"e %.ar$ed is t.e spe%ifi% alle$ati!n !f t.e %ir%#"stan%es

"enti!ned in t.e la= t.at raise t.e %ri"e t! a .i$.er %ate$!r2

Se%ti!n !f R#le ((+ re?#ires t.at t.e Inf!r"ati!n s.all state t.e desi$nati!n !f t.e

!ffense $i1en '2 t.e stat#te, a1er t.e a%ts !r !"issi!ns %!nstit#tin$ t.e !ffense, and spe%if2 its?#alif2in$ and a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%esJ Se%ti!n "erel2 re?#ires t.e Inf!r"ati!n t! spe%if2

t.e %ir%#"stan%es Se%ti!n d!es n!t re?#ire t.e #se !f t.e =!rds ?#alif2in$J !r ?#alified '2J

t! refer t! t.e %ir%#"stan%es =.i%. raise t.e %ate$!r2 !f an !ffense It is n!t t.e #se !f t.e =!rds?#alif2in$J !r ?#alified '2J t.at raises a %ri"e t! a .i$.er %ate$!r2, '#t t.e spe%ifi% alle$ati!n

!f an attendant %ir%#"stan%e =.i%. adds t.e essential ele"ent raisin$ t.e %ri"e t! a .i$.er

%ate$!r2

e t.eref!re reiterate t.at Se%ti!ns and ; !f R#le ((+ "erel2 re?#ire t.at t.eInf!r"ati!n alle$e, spe%if2 !r en#"erate t.e attendant %ir%#"stan%es "enti!ned in t.e la= t!

?#alif2 t.e !ffense T.ese %ir%#"stan%es need n!t 'e pre%eded '2 t.e =!rds

a$$ra1atin$?#alif2in$,J ?#alif2in$,J !r ?#alified '2J t! 'e %!nsidered as ?#alif2in$

%ir%#"stan%es It is s#ffi%ient t.at t.ese %ir%#"stan%es 'e spe%ified in t.e Inf!r"ati!n t! appriset.e a%%#sed !f t.e %.ar$es a$ainst .i" t! ena'le .i" t! prepare f#ll2 f!r .is defense, t.#s

pre%l#din$ s#rprises d#rin$ t.e trial .en t.e pr!se%#ti!n spe%ifi%all2 alle$es in t.e Inf!r"ati!n

t.e %ir%#"stan%es "enti!ned in t.e la= as ?#alif2in$ t.e %ri"e, and s#%%eeds in pr!1in$ t.e"'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t, t.e C!#rt is %!nstrained t! i"p!se t.e .i$.er penalt2 "andated '2 la=

T.is in%l#des t.e deat. penalt2 in pr!per %ases

T! $#ide t.e 'en%. and t.e 'ar, t.is Res!l#ti!n %larifies and res!l1es t.e iss#e !f .!= t!alle$e !r spe%if2 ?#alif2in$ !r a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es in t.e Inf!r"ati!n T.e =!rds


12/36

a$$ra1atin$?#alif2in$,J ?#alif2in$,J ?#alified '2,J a$$ra1atin$,J !r a$$ra1ated '2J need

n!t 'e epressl2 stated as l!n$ as t.e parti%#lar attendant %ir%#"stan%es are spe%ified in t.eInf!r"ati!n 3E"p.asis !#rs4

T.e Inf!r"ati!n in t.is %ase %learl2 f!re=arns appellant t.at =it.!#t an2 F#stifia'le %a#se, =it.trea%.er2 and e1ident pre"editati!n and =it. deli'erate intent t! 0ill,J .e did t.en and =illf#ll2, #nla=f#ll2

and fel!ni!#sl2 atta%0 and sta', =it. a 'laded =eap!n, !n t.e 'a%0 p!rti!n !f t.e '!d2,J Santarin, t.ere'2

infli%tin$ #p!n t.e latter seri!#s p.2si%al inF#r2 =.i%. inF#r2 %a#sed .is deat.J 5;86 T.ese alle$ati!ns, !n%e

t.e2 =ere pr!1en 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t '2 t.e pr!se%#ti!n, ?#alif2 t.e 0illin$ !f Santarin t! "#rder

1HEREORE, t.e petiti!n is DENIED and t.e appealed C!#rt !f Appeals &e%isi!n )IRMED

SO ORDERED

EN OSEPH E>ERCITO ESTR)D)

an. THE HONOR)


13/36

x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x

# $ C % S % & '

()%&', .*

The People of the Philippines (the People) led this Petition for Review

on Certiorari[1]to seek the reversal of the Sandiganbayans oint Resol!tion dated !ly 1"#"$$%# granting respondent oseph &'erito &stradas (Estrada) de!rrer to evidene in

*ri+ *ase ,o+ "-.-.+["]

T/& 0*TS

On April 9, *++(, an Inf!r"ati!n f!r plun.er3d!%0eted as Crim# Case No# (?&&A4 =as filed =it. t.e

Sandi$an'a2an a$ainst resp!ndent Estrada, a"!n$ !t.er a%%#sed A separate Inf!r"ati!n f!r ille$al #se !falias! d!%0eted as Crim# Case No# (?&?&!=as li0e=ise filed a$ainst Estrada T.e A"ended Inf!r"ati!n inCri" Case N! *) AS DOSE

7EBAR&E IN SE7ERAB TRANSACTIONS AN& #se and e"pl!2 t.e SAI& alias !se7elardeJ =.i%. IS neit.er .is re$istered na"e at 'irt. n!r .is 'aptis"al na"e, in si$nin$

d!%#"ents =it. E?#ita'le PCI @an0 and!r !t.er %!rp!rate entities

CONTRARY TO BA

Cri" Case N!s *)


14/36

A T.e testi"!nies !f P.ilippine C!""er%ial and Ind#strial @an0 3PC%(4 !ffi%ers Clarissa G O%a"p!

3&campo4 and Att2 Man#el C#rat! 3Curato4 =.! %!""!nl2 de%lared t.at !n >e'r#ar2 9, *+++, Estrada!pened a n#"'ered tr#st a%%!#nt 3+rust ccount C-4 =it. PCI@ and si$ned as !se 7elardeJ in t.e

a%%!#nt !penin$ d!%#"ents '!t. O%a"p! and C#rat! als! testified t.at Apr!di%i! Ba%?#ian and

>ernand! C.#a =ere present !n t.at !%%asi!n

@ 3(4 T.e testi"!n2 !f [email protected] @ran%. Mana$er Teresa @ar%elan, =.! de%lared t.at a %ertain

@a'2 Ortali/a 3&rtali/a4 transa%ted se1eral ti"es =it. .er t.at Ortali/a dep!sited se1eral %.e%0s in

PCI@ Sa1in$s A%%!#nt N! +()+-)*


15/36

9 T.e #se !f alias is a's!r'ed in pl#nder

T.e Pe!ple !pp!sed t.e de"#rrers t.r!#$. a C!ns!lidated Opp!siti!n t.at presented t.e f!ll!=in$ar$#"ents:5(*6

( T.at t.e #se !f fi%titi!#s na"es in 'an0 transa%ti!n =as n!t epressl2 pr!.i'ited #ntil @SP

N! 8+* is !f n! "!"ent %!nsiderin$ t.at as earl2 as C!""!n=ealt. A%t N! (9*, t.e #se !falias =as alread2 pr!.i'ited M!1ant is 'ein$ pr!se%#ted f!r 1i!lati!n !f CA N! (9* and

n!t @SP Cir%#lar N! 8+*

* M!1ants relian%e !n Urs#a 1s C!#rt !f Appeals 3*e'r#ar2 9, *+++ %!#ld .a1e a%t#all2 ta0en pla%eprior to

or subse!uent thereto t.e #se !f t.e %!nF#n%ti1e =as si"pl2 t.e pr!se%#ti!ns pr!%ed#ral t!!l t! $#ard a$ainstan2 1arian%e 'et=een t.e date stated in t.e Inf!r"ati!n and t.at pr!1ed d#rin$ t.e trial in a sit#ati!n in =.i%.

ti"e =as n!t a "aterial in$redient !f t.e !ffense it d!es n!t "ean and %ann!t 'e read as a r!1in$ %!""issi!n

t.at in%l#des a%ts and!r e1ents separate an. .istinct fr!" t.!se t.at t!!0 pla%e !n t.e sin$le date !n !r a'!#t+9 >e'r#ar2 *+++ !r s!"eti"e pri!r !r s#'se?#ent t.eret!J T.e Sandi$an'a2an r#led t.at t.e #se !f t.e

disF#n%ti1e !rJ pre1ented it fr!" interpretin$ t.e Inf!r"ati!n an2 !t.er =a2

Second t.e Pe!ples fail#re t! present e1iden%e t.at pr!1ed Estradas %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense T.eSandi$an'a2an f!#nd t.at t.e Pe!ple failed t! present e1iden%e t.at Estrada %!""itted t.e %ri"e p#nis.ed

#nder C!""!n=ealt. A%t N! (9*, as a"ended '2 Rep#'li% A%t 3)..4 N! )+< 3C 014, as interpreted '2

t.e S#pre"e C!#rt in2rsua v. Court of ppeals.[13] It r#led t.at t.ere is an ille$al #se !f alias =it.in t.e %!ntet!f CA (9* !nl2 if t.e #se !f t.e alias is publicand habitual In Estradas %ase, t.e Sandi$an'a2an n!ted, t.e

appli%ati!n !f t.e prin%iples =as n!t as si"ple 'e%a#se !f t.e %!"pli%ati!ns res#ltin$ fr!" t.e nat#re !f t.e

transa%ti!n in1!l1ed t.e alias =as #sed in %!nne%ti!n =it. t.e !penin$ !f a n#"'ered tr#st a%%!#nt "aded#rin$ t.e effe%ti1it2 !f RA.N! (9+


16/36

a Estradas #se !f t.e alias !se 7elardeJ in .is dealin$s =it. &i%.a1e/ andOrtali/a after>e'r#ar2 9, *+++ is n!t rele1ant in li$.t !f t.e %!n%l#si!n t.at t.e a%ts i"p#ted t! Estrada #nder

t.e Inf!r"ati!n =ere t.e a%ts %!""itted !n >e'r#ar2 9, *+++ !nl2 Additi!nall2, t.e p.rase, Estrada did Q

represent .i"self as D!se 7elarde in se1eral transa%ti!ns,J standin$ al!ne, 1i!lates Estradas ri$.t t! 'einf!r"ed !f t.e nat#re and t.e %a#se !f t.e a%%#sati!n, 'e%a#se it is 1er2 $eneral and 1a$#e T.is p.rase is

?#alified and eplained '2 t.e s#%%eedin$ p.rase and #se and e"pl!2 t.e said alias D!se 7elardeJ =.i%.

is neit.er .is re$istered na"e at 'irt. n!r .is 'aptis"al na"e, in si$nin$ d!%#"ents =it. E?#ita'le PCI @an0

and!r !t.er %!rp!rate entitiesJ T.#s, Estradas representati!ns 'ef!re pers!ns !t.er t.an t.!se "enti!ned int.e Inf!r"ati!n are i""aterial Ortali/a and &i%.a1e/ d! n!t fall =it.in t.e E?#ita'le PCI @an0 and!r !t.er

%!rp!rate entitiesJ spe%ified in t.e Inf!r"ati!n Estradas representati!ns =it. Ortali/a and &i%.a1e/ are n!t

t.eref!re %!1ered '2 t.e indi%t"ent

' T.e Sandi$an'a2an reFe%ted t.e appli%ati!n !f t.e prin%iple in t.e la= !f li'el t.at "ere

%!""#ni%ati!n t! a t.ird pers!n is p#'li%it2 it reas!ned !#t t.at t.at t.e definiti!n !f p#'li%it2 is n!t li"ited t!t.e =a2 it is defined #nder t.e la= !n li'el additi!nall2, t.e appli%ati!n !f t.e li'el la= definiti!n is !ner!#s t!

t.e a%%#sed and is pre%l#ded '2 t.e r#lin$ in 2rsua t.at CA N! (9*, as a penal stat#te, s.!#ld 'e %!nstr#ed

stri%tl2 a$ainst t.e State and fa1!ra'l2 f!r t.e a%%#sed It r#led t.at t.e definiti!n #nder t.e la= !n li'el, e1en ifit applies, %!nsiders a %!""#ni%ati!n t! a t.ird pers!n %!1ered '2 t.e pri1ile$ed %!""#ni%ati!n r#le t! 'e n!n-

a%ti!na'le Estradas #se !f t.e alias in fr!nt !f O%a"p! and C#rat! is !ne s#%. pri1ile$ed %!""#ni%ati!n#nder RA N! (9+


17/36

s.!#ld 'e %!nstr#ed in a =a2 t.at =ill .ar"!ni/e it =it. eistin$ la=s A reas!na'le s%r#tin2, t.e

Sandi$an'a2an said, !f all t.ese la=s in relati!n t! t.e present %ase, led it t! %!n%l#de t.at t.e #se !f an alias=it.in t.e %!ntet !f a 'an0 transa%ti!n 3spe%ifi%all2, t.e !penin$ !f a n#"'ered a%%!#nt "ade 'ef!re 'an0

!ffi%ers4 is pr!te%ted '2 t.e se%re%2 pr!1isi!ns !f RA N! (9+e'r#ar2 9, *+++

) .et.er t.e %!#rt a ?#! $ra1el2 erred and a'#sed its dis%reti!n in departin$ fr!" its earlier

final findin$ !n t.e n!n-appli%a'ilit2 !f 2rsua v. Court of ppealsand f!r%in$ its appli%ati!nt! t.e instant %ase

THE CO*RTS R*LIN"

The petition has no merit#

The Law on Illegal se o! "lias and the rsua Ruling

Se%ti!ns ( and * !f CA N! (9*, as a"ended, read:

Se%ti!n ( E%ept as a pse#d!n2" s!lel2 f!r literar2, %ine"a, tele1isi!n, radi! !r !t.er

entertain"ent p#rp!ses and in at.leti% e1ents =.ere t.e #se !f pse#d!n2" is a n!r"all2 a%%eptedpra%ti%e, n! pers!n s.all #se an2 na"e different fr!" t.e !ne =it. =.i%. .e =as re$istered at

'irt. in t.e !ffi%e !f t.e l!%al %i1il re$istr2 !r =it. =.i%. .e =as 'apti/ed f!r t.e first ti"e, !r in

%ase !f an alien, =it. =.i%. .e =as re$istered in t.e '#rea# !f i""i$rati!n #p!n entr2 !r s#%.s#'stit#te na"e as "a2 .a1e 'een a#t.!ri/ed '2 a %!"petent %!#rt: Pr!1ided, T.at pers!ns


18/36

=.!se 'irt.s .a1e n!t 'een re$istered in an2 l!%al %i1il re$istr2 and =.! .a1e n!t 'een 'apti/ed,

.a1e !ne 2ear fr!" t.e appr!1al !f t.is a%t =it.in =.i%. t! re$ister t.eir na"es in t.e %i1ilre$istr2 !f t.eir residen%e T.e na"e s.all %!"prise t.e patr!n2"i% na"e and !ne !r t=!

s#rna"es

Se%ti!n * An2 pers!n desirin$ t! #se an alias s.all appl2 f!r a#t.!rit2 t.eref!r in

pr!%eedin$s li0e t.!se le$all2 pr!1ided t! !'tain F#di%ial a#t.!rit2 f!r a %.an$e !f na"e and n!

pers!n s.all 'e all!=ed t! se%#re s#%. F#di%ial a#t.!rit2 f!r "!re t.an !ne alias T.e petiti!n f!r

an alias s.all set f!rt. t.e pers!ns 'aptis"al and fa"il2 na"e and t.e na"e re%!rded in t.e %i1ilre$istr2, if different, .is i""i$rants na"e, if an alien, and .is pse#d!n2", if .e .as s#%. na"es

!t.er t.an .is !ri$inal !r real na"e, spe%if2in$ t.e reas!n !r reas!ns f!r t.e desired alias T.e

F#di%ial a#t.!rit2 f!r t.e #se !f alias, t.e C.ristian na"e and t.e alien i""i$rants na"e s.all 'ere%!rded in t.e pr!per l!%al %i1il re$istr2, and n! pers!n s.all #se an2 na"e !r na"es !t.er t.an

.is !ri$inal !r real na"e #nless t.e sa"e is !r are d#l2 re%!rded in t.e pr!per l!%al %i1il re$istr2

H!= t.is la= is 1i!lated .as 'een ans=ered '2 t.e 2rsua definiti!n !f an alias a name or names

used by a person or intended to be used by him pu#licl$and ha#ituall$usually in business transactions inaddition to his real name by which he is registered at birth or bapti/ed the first time or substitute name

authori/ed by a competent authorityJ T.ere "#st 'e, in t.e =!rds !f 2rsua, a sign or indication that theuser intends to be known by this name3t.e alias4in addition to his real name from that day forth Q 5f!r t.e

#se !f alias t!6 fall within the prohibition contained in C.. 'o. 01 as amendedJ5(6

2rsua f#rt.er relates t.e .ist!ri%al 'a%0$r!#nd and rati!nale t.at led t! t.e ena%t"ent !f CA N!

(9*, as f!ll!=s:

T.e ena%t"ent !f CA N! (9* =as "ade pri"aril2 t! %#r' t.e %!""!n pra%ti%e a"!n$

t.e C.inese !f ad!ptin$ s%!res !f different na"es and aliases =.i%. %reated tre"end!#s%!nf#si!n in t.e field !f trade S#%. a pra%ti%e al"!st '!rdered !n t.e %ri"e !f #sin$ fi%titi!#s

na"es =.i%. f!r !'1i!#s reas!ns %!#ld n!t 'e s#%%essf#ll2 "aintained a$ainst t.e C.inese =.!,

ri$.tl2 !r =r!n$l2, %lai"ed t.e2 p!ssessed a t.!#sand and !ne na"es CA N! (9* t.#spenali/ed t.e a%t !f #sin$ an alias na"e, #nless s#%. alias =as d#l2 a#t.!ri/ed '2 pr!per F#di%ial

pr!%eedin$s and re%!rded in t.e %i1il re$ister5(;6

>!ll!=in$ t.e d!%trine !fstare decisis,5*+6=e are $#ided '2 t.e 2rsua r#lin$ !n .!= t.e %ri"ep#nis.ed #nder CA N! (9* "a2 'e %!""itted Cl!se ad.eren%e t! t.is r#lin$, in !t.er =!rds, is

#na1!ida'le in t.e appli%ati!n !f and t.e deter"inati!n !f %ri"inal lia'ilit2 #nder CA N! (9*

A"!n$ t.e "an2 $r!#nds t.e Pe!ple in1!0es t! a1!id t.e appli%ati!n !f t.e 2rsua r#lin$ pr!%eeds

fr!" Estradas p!siti!n in t.e $!1ern"ent at t.e ti"e !f t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense, .e =as t.e

President !f t.e Rep#'li% =.! is re?#ired '2 la= t! dis%l!se .is tr#e na"e e d! n!t find t.is ar$#"en

s#ffi%ient t! F#stif2 a distin%ti!n 'et=een a "an !n t.e street, !n !ne .and, and t.e President !f t.eRep#'li%, !n t.e !t.er, f!r p#rp!ses !f appl2in$ CA N! (9* In t.e first pla%e, t.e la= d!es n!t "a0e an2

distin%ti!n, epressl2 !r i"pliedl2, t.at =!#ld F#stif2 a differential treat"ent C 'o. 01 as applied to

$strada, in fact allows him to use his cinema or screen name of Joseph $strada, which name he has usedeven when he was already the President of the Philippines. $ven the petitioner has ac!uiesced to the use of

the screen name of the accused, as shown by the title of the present petition.Additi!nall2, an2 distin%ti!n =e

"a0e 'ased !n t.e Pe!ples %lai" #nd#l2 preF#di%es Estrada t.is is pr!s%ri'ed '2 t.e 2rsua di%t#" t.at CAN! (9*, as a penal stat#te, s.!#ld 'e %!nstr#ed stri%tl2 a$ainst t.e State and in fa1!r !f t.e a%%#sed 5*(6 T.e

"!de !f 1i!latin$ CA N! (9* is t.eref!re t.e sa"e =.!e1er t.e a%%#sed "a2 'e
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn21http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn21


19/36

T.e Pe!ple als! %alls !#r attenti!n t! an earlier Sandi$an'a2an r#lin$ 3Res!l#ti!n dated >e'r#ar2 )

*++*4 den2in$ Estradas "!ti!n t! ?#as. t.e Inf!r"ati!n T.is earlier Res!l#ti!n effe%ti1el2 reFe%ted t.eappli%ati!n !f 2rsua#nder t.e f!ll!=in$ ten!r:

T.e #se !f t.e ter" aliasJ in t.e A"ended Inf!r"ati!n in itself ser1es t! 'rin$ t.is %ase!#tside t.e a"'it !f t.e r#lin$ in t.e %ase !f Urs#a 1 C!#rt !f Appeals 3*


20/36

Second, in t.e earlier "!ti!n t! ?#as., t.e Sandi$an'a2an s!lel2 l!!0ed at t.e alle$ati!ns !f t.eInf!r"ati!n t! deter"ine t.e s#ffi%ien%2 !f t.ese alle$ati!ns and did n!t %!nsider an2

e1iden%e aliunde T.is is far different fr!" t.e present de"#rrer t! e1iden%e =.ere t.e Sandi$an'a2an .ad

a f#ller 1ie= !f t.e pr!se%#ti!ns %ase, and =as fa%ed =it. t.e iss#e !f =.et.er t.e pr!se%#ti!ns e1iden%e=as s#ffi%ient t! pr!1e t.e alle$ati!ns !f t.e Inf!r"ati!n Under t.ese differin$ 1ie=s, t.e Sandi$an'a2an

"a2 arri1e at a different %!n%l#si!n !n t.e appli%ati!n !f 2rsua,t.e leadin$ %ase in t.e appli%ati!n !f CA

(9*, and t.e %.an$e in r#lin$ is n!tper seindi%ati1e !f $ra1e a'#se !f dis%reti!n T.at t.ere is n! err!r !f

la= is stren$t.ened '2 !#r %!nsiderati!n !f t.e Sandi$an'a2an r#lin$ !n t.e appli%ati!n !f 2rsua

In an eer%ise !f %a#ti!n $i1en 2rsuas F#rispr#dential 'indin$ effe%t, t.e Pe!ple als! ar$#es in its

petiti!n t.at Estradas %ase is different fr!" 2rsuas f!r t.e f!ll!=in$ reas!ns: 3(4 resp!ndent Estrada #sedand intended t! %!ntin#all2 #se t.e alias !se 7elardeJ in additi!n t! t.e na"e !sep. EstradaJ 3*4

Estradas #se !f t.e alias =as n!t is!lated !r li"ited t! a sin$le transa%ti!n and 384 t.e #se !f t.e alias !se

7elardeJ =as desi$ned t! %a#se and did %a#se %!nf#si!n and fra#d in '#siness transa%ti!nsJ =.i%. t.e anti-alias la= and its related stat#tes see0 t! pre1ent T.e Pe!ple als! ar$#es t.at t.e e1iden%e it presented "!re

t.an satisfied t.e re?#ire"ents !f CA N! (9*, as a"ended, and 2rsua, as it =as als! s.!=n !r esta'lis.ed

t.at Estradas #se !f t.e alias =as p#'li%

In li$.t !f !#r a'!1e %!n%l#si!ns and 'ased !n t.e parties epressed p!siti!ns, =e s.all n!=ea"ine within the 2rsua frameworkt.e assailed Sandi$an'a2an Res!l#ti!n $rantin$ t.e de"#rrer t!

e1iden%e T.e pr!se%#ti!n .as t.e '#rden !f pr!!f t! s.!= t.at t.e e1iden%e it presented =it. t.eSandi$an'a2an satisfied t.e 2rsua re?#ire"ents, parti%#larl2 !n t.e "atter !f p#'li%it2 and .a'it#alit2 in

t.e #se !f an alias

%hat is the co&erage o! the indict'ent(

T.e Pe!ple ar$#es t.at t.e Sandi$an'a2an $ra1el2 erred and a'#sed its dis%reti!n in li"itin$ t.e%!1era$e !f t.e a"ended Inf!r"ati!n in Cri" Case N! *)e'r#ar2 9, *+++ It p!sits t.at t.ere =as a "ain transa%ti!n !ne t.at t!!0 pla%e !n >e'r#ar2 9, *+++

'#t t.ere =ere !t.er transa%ti!ns %!1ered '2 t.e p.rase pri!r t! !r s#'se?#ent t.eret! t.e Inf!r"ati!nspe%ifi%all2 referred t! several transactionsJ Q with $!uitable PC% (ank and5or other corporateentities.J T! t.e Pe!ple, t.e restri%ti1e findin$ t.at t.e p.rase pri!r t! !r s#'se?#ent t.eret!J is a's!r'ed

'2 t.e p.rase !n !r a'!#t +9 >e'r#ar2 *+++J drasti%all2 a"ends t.e s#%%eedin$ "ain alle$ati!ns !n t.e

%!nstit#ti1e %ri"inal a%ts '2 re"!1in$ t.e pl#ralit2 !f '!t. t.e transa%ti!ns in1!l1ed and t.e d!%#"entssi$ned =it. 1ari!#s entities t.ere is t.e #ndenia'le essential relati!ns.ip 'et=een t.e alle$ati!ns !f t.e

"#ltipli%it2 !f transa%ti!ns, !n !ne .and, and t.e additi!nal ante%edent !f pri!r t! !r s#'se?#ent t.eret!,J

!n t.e !t.er It ar$#es t.at t.e Sandi$an'a2an red#%ed t.e p.rase pri!r t! !r s#'se?#ent t.eret!J int! a#seless appenda$e, pr!1idin$ Estrada =it. a %!n1enient and t!tall2 #n=arranted es%ape r!#te

T.e Pe!ple f#rt.er ar$#es t.at t.e alle$ati!n !f ti"e is t.e least ea%tin$ in satisf2in$ t.e

%!nstit#ti!nal re?#ire"ent t.at t.e a%%#sed .as t! 'e inf!r"ed !f t.e a%%#sati!n a$ainst .i" Se%ti!n ) !fR#le ((+ !f t.e Re1ised R#les !f C!#rt pr!1ides t.at an alle$ati!n !f t.e appr!i"ate date !f t.e

%!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense =ill s#ffi%e, =.ile Se%ti!n (( !f t.e sa"e R#le pr!1ides t.at it is n!t ne%essar2 t!

state in t.e %!"plaint !r inf!r"ati!n t.e pre%ise date t.e !ffense =as %!""itted e%ept =.en it is a "aterialin$redient !f t.e %ri"e T.is li'eralit2 alle$edl2 s.aped t.e ti"e-tested r#le t.at =.en t.e ti"eJ $i1en in

t.e %!"plaint is n!t !f t.e essen%e !f t.e !ffense, t.e ti"e !f t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense d!es n!t need t!

'e pr!1en as alle$ed, and t.at t.e %!"plaint =ill 'e s#stained if t.e pr!!f s.!=s t.at t.e !ffense =as%!""itted at an2 ti"e =it.in t.e peri!d !f t.e stat#te !f li"itati!ns and 'ef!re t.e %!""en%e"ent !f t.e

a%ti!n 3%itin$People v. (ugayong 5*;; SCRA


21/36

s#'se?#ent t.eret!J #nder t.e li'eralit2 prin%iple, t.e alle$ati!ns !f t.e a%ts %!nstit#ti1e !f t.e !ffense

finall2 deter"ine t.e s#ffi%ien%2 !f t.e alle$ati!ns !f ti"e T.e Pe!ple t.#s %lai"s t.at n! s#rprise %!#ld.a1e ta0en pla%e t.at =!#ld pre1ent Estrada fr!" pr!perl2 defendin$ .i"self t.e inf!r"ati!n f#ll2 n!tified

.i" t.at .e =as 'ein$ a%%#sed !f #sin$ t.e alias !se 7elarde in "!re t.an F#st !ne instan%e

e see n! "erit in t.ese ar$#"ents

At its %!re, t.e iss#e is %!nstit#ti!nal in nat#re t.e ri$.t !f Estrada t! 'e inf!r"ed !f t.e nat#re and

%a#se !f t.e a%%#sati!n a$ainst .i" Under t.e pr!1isi!ns !f t.e R#les !f C!#rt i"ple"entin$ t.is%!nstit#ti!nal ri$.t, a %!"plaint !r inf!r"ati!n is s#ffi%ient if it states t.e na"e !f t.e a%%#sed t.e

desi$nati!n !f t.e !ffense $i1en '2 t.e stat#te t.e a%ts !r !"issi!ns %!"plained !f as %!nstit#tin$ t.e

!ffense in t.e na"e !f t.e !ffended part2 t.e appr!i"ate date !f t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense and t.epla%e =.ere t.e !ffense =as %!""itted5*;6 As t! t.e %a#se !f a%%#sati!n, t.e a%ts !r !"issi!ns %!"plained

!f as %!nstit#tin$ t.e !ffense and t.e ?#alif2in$ and a$$ra1atin$ %ir%#"stan%es "#st 'e stated in !rdinar2

and %!n%ise lan$#a$e and n!t ne%essaril2 in t.e lan$#a$e #sed in t.e stat#te, but in terms sufficient to

enable a person of common un.erstan.in/ to 5no4 the offense char/e. an. the Fualif0in/ an.

a//ra3atin/ circumstances! an. for the court to pronounce Bu./ment 58+6 T.e date !f t.e %!""issi!n !f

t.e !ffense need n!t 'e pre%isel2 stated in t.e %!"plaint !r inf!r"ati!n e%ept =.en t.e pre%ise date is a"aterial in$redient !f t.e !ffense T.e !ffense "a2 'e alle$ed t! .a1e 'een %!""itted !n a date as near as

p!ssi'le t! t.e a%t#al date !f its %!""issi!n58(6

T.e inf!r"ati!n mustat all ti"es embody the essential elements of the crime charged by settingforth the facts and circumstances that bear on the culpability and liability of the accused so that he can

properly prepare for and undertake his defense58*6In s.!rt, t.e alle$ati!ns in t.e %!"plaint !r inf!r"ati!n

as =ritten, "#st f#ll2 inf!r" !r a%?#aint t.e a%%#sed t.e pri"ar2 reader !f and t.e part2 dire%tl2 affe%ted'2 t.e %!"plaint !r inf!r"ati!n !f t.e %.ar$es laid

T.e .eret!f!re %ited Inf!r"ati!n states t.at G on or a#out )* Fe#ruar$ +))), or so'eti'e prior

or su#seuent thereto, in the .it$ o! /anila, Philippines and within the 0urisdiction o! this onora#le

.ourt, the a#o&e-na'ed accused [did]G will!ull$, unlaw!ull$ and cri'inall$ R2PR2S2T I/S2LF

"S 4J5S2 62L"R728 I S262R"L TR"S".TI5S "7 use and e'plo$ the S"I7 alias 9Jose6elarde: which IS neither his registered na'e at #irth nor his #aptis'al na'e, in signing docu'ents

with 2uita#le P.I ;an< and=or other corporate entities#

e f#ll2 a$ree =it. t.e disp#ted Sandi$an'a2ans readin$ !f t.e Inf!r"ati!n, as t.is =as .!= t.ea%%#sed "i$.t .a1e si"ilarl2 read and #nderst!!d t.e alle$ati!ns in t.e Inf!r"ati!n and, !n t.is 'asis,

prepared .is defense @r!0en d!=n int! its %!"p!nent parts, t.e alle$ati!n !f ti"e in t.e Inf!r"ati!n

plainl2 states t.at 67 53ebruary 0, 18889 617 5R before 3ebruary 0, 18889 67 5Rsometime prior orsubse!uent to 3ebruary 0, 1888, in t.e Cit2 !f Manila, Estrada represented .i"self as !se 7elardeJ in

se1eral transa%ti!ns in si$nin$ d!%#"ents =it. E?#ita'le PCI @an0 and!r !t.er %!rp!rate entities

Under t.is anal2sis, t.e se1eral transa%ti!ns in1!l1in$ t.e si$nin$ !f d!%#"ents =it. E?#ita'le PCI@an0 and!r !t.er %!rp!rate entities all .ad t.eir referen%e t! >e'r#ar2 9, *+++ t.e2 =ere all "ade on or

about orprior or subse!uent to that date, t.#s plainl2 i"pl2in$ t.at all t.ese transa%ti!ns t!!0 pla%e !nl2 !n

>e'r#ar2 9, *+++ !r !n an!t.er sin$le date s!"eti"e 'ef!re !r after >e'r#ar2 9, *+++ T! 'e s#re, t.eInf!r"ati!n %!#ld .a1e si"pl2 said !n !r a'!#t >e'r#ar2 9, *+++J t! %apt#re all t.e alternati1e

appr!i"ate dates, s! t.at t.e p.rase s!"eti"e pri!r !r s#'se?#ent t.eret!J =!#ld effe%ti1el2 'e a

s#rpl#sa$e t.at .as n! "eanin$ separatel2 fr!" t.e !n !r a'!#tJ alread2 epressed +his conse!uentuselessness of the :prior or subse!uent thereto; phrase cannot be denied, but it is a direct and necessary

conse!uence of the use of the :&); between the two phrases and the :+


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)ND instead !f OR t! separate t.e p.rases t.e intent t! refer t! 1ari!#s transa%ti!ns !%%#rrin$ !n

1ari!#s dates and !%%asi!ns all pr!i"ate t! >e'r#ar2 9, *+++ %!#ld n!t 'e disp#ted 2nfortunately for thePeople, the imprecision in the use of :&); is the reality the case has to live with. T! a%t %!ntrar2 t! t.is

realit2 =!#ld 1i!late Estradas ri$.t t! 'e inf!r"ed !f t.e nat#re and %a#se !f a%%#sati!n a$ainst .i" t.e

"#ltiple transa%ti!ns !n se1eral separate da2s t.at t.e Pe!ple %lai"s =!#ld res#lt in s#rprise and denial !fan !pp!rt#nit2 t! prepare f!r Estrada, =.! .as a ri$.t t! rel2 !n t.e sin$le da2 "enti!ned in t.e

Inf!r"ati!n

Separatel2 fr!" t.e %!nstit#ti!nal di"ensi!n !f t.e alle$ati!n !f ti"e in t.e Inf!r"ati!n, an!t.eriss#e t.at t.e alle$ati!n !f ti"e and !#r a'!1e %!n%l#si!n raise relates t! =.at a%t !r a%ts, %!nstit#tin$ a

1i!lati!n !f t.e !ffense %.ar$ed, =ere a%t#all2 alle$ed in t.e Inf!r"ati!n

T.e %!n%l#si!n =e arri1ed at ne%essaril2 i"pa%ts !n t.e Pe!ples %ase, as it deals a fatal 'l!= !n t.e

Pe!ples %lai" t.at Estrada habitually#sed t.e !se 7elarde alias >!r, t! !#r "ind, t.e repeated #se !f an

alias =it.in a sin$le da2 %ann!t 'e dee"ed .a'it#al,J as it d!es n!t a"!#nt t! a %#st!"ar2 pra%ti%e !r#se T.is reas!n al!ne di%tates t.e dis"issal !f t.e petiti!n #nder CA N! (9* and t.e ter"s !f 2rsua

The issues o! pu#licit$! nu'#ered accounts, and

the application o! ." o> 1*+, R>"> o> 1*)?,

and R>"> o> @1A)#

e s.all F!intl2 dis%#ss t.ese interrelated iss#es

T.e Pe!ple %lai"s t.at e1en !n t.e ass#"pti!n t.at O%a"p! and C#rat! are 'an0 !ffi%ers s=!rn t!se%re%2 #nder t.e la=, t.e presen%e !f t=! !t.er pers!ns =.! are n!t 'an0 !ffi%ers Apr!di%i! Ba?#ian and

>ernand! C.#a =.en Estradas si$ned t.e 'an0 d!%#"ents as !se 7elardeJ a"!#nted t! a p#'li%J #se

!f an alias t.at 1i!lates CA N! (9*

On t.e iss#e !f n#"'ered a%%!#nts, t.e Pe!ple ar$#es t.at t! pre"ise t.e 1alidit2 !f Estradas

pr!se%#ti!n f!r 1i!lati!n !f CA N! (9* !n a "ere 'an0in$ pra%ti%e is $ra1el2 err!ne!#s, i"pr!per, and%!nstit#tes $ra1e a'#se !f dis%reti!n n! 'an0in$ la= pr!1isi!n all!=in$ t.e #se !f aliases in t.e !penin$ !f

'an0 a%%!#nts eisted at "!st, it =as all!=ed '2 "ere %!n1enti!n !r ind#str2 pra%ti%e, '#t n!t '2 a stat#te

ena%ted '2 t.e le$islat#re Additi!nall2, t.at Estradas pr!se%#ti!n =as s#pp!sedl2 'ased !n @SP Cir%#lar

N! 8+* dated O%t!'er ((, *++( is =r!n$ and "isleadin$, as Estrada stands %.ar$ed =it. 1i!lati!n !f CAN! (9*, penali/ed sin%e (;8), and n!t =it. a 1i!lati!n !f a "ere @SP Cir%#lar T.at t.e #se !f alias in

'an0 transa%ti!ns pri!r t! @SP Cir%#lar N! 8+* is all!=ed is in%!nse?#ential 'e%a#se as earl2 as CA N!

(9*, t.e #se !f an alias 3e%ept f!r %ertain p#rp!ses =.i%. d! n!t in%l#de 'an0in$4 =as alread2pr!.i'ited N!t.in$ in CA N! (9* ee"pted t.e #se !f aliases in 'an0in$ transa%ti!ns, sin%e t.e la= did

n!t distin$#is. !r li"it its appli%ati!n it =as t.eref!re $ra1e err!r f!r t.e Sandi$an'a2an t! .a1e d!ne

s! Bastl2 !n t.is p!int, 'an0 re$#lati!ns 'ein$ "ere iss#an%es %ann!t a"end, "!dif2 !r pre1ail !1er t.e

effe%ti1e, s#'sistin$ and enf!r%ea'le pr!1isi!n !f CA N! (9*

On t.e iss#e !f t.e appli%a'ilit2 !f RA N! (9+< and its relati!ns.ip =it. CA N! (9*, t.at sin%e

n!t.in$ in CA N! (9* e%#ses t.e #se !f an alias, t.e Sandi$an'a2an $ra1el2 a'#sed its dis%reti!n =.en itr#led t.at RA N! (9+< is an e%epti!n t! CA N! (9*s %!1era$e Har"!ni/ati!n !f la=s, t.e Pe!ple

p!sits, is all!=ed !nl2 if t.e la=s intended t! 'e .ar"!ni/ed refer t! t.e sa"e s#'Fe%t "atter, !r are at least

related =it. !ne an!t.er T.e t.ree la=s =.i%. t.e Sandi$an'a2an tried t! .ar"!ni/e are n!t re"!tel2related t! !ne an!t.er t.e2 ea%. deal =it. a different s#'Fe%t "atter, pr!.i'its a different a%t, $!1erns a

different %!nd#%t, and %!1ers a different %lass !f pers!ns, 5886and t.ere =as n! need t! f!r%e t.eir appli%ati!n

t! !ne an!t.er Har"!ni/ati!n !f la=s, t.e Pe!ple adds, pres#pp!ses t.e eisten%e !f %!nfli%t !r
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in%!n$r#en%e 'et=een !r a"!n$ t.e pr!1isi!ns !f 1ari!#s la=s, a sit#ati!n n!t !'tainin$ in t.e present

%ase

T.e Pe!ple p!sits, t!!, t.at RA N! (9+< d!es n!t appl2 t! tr#st transa%ti!ns, s#%. as Tr#st A%%!#nt

N! C-()8, as it applies !nl2 t! traditi!nal dep!sits 3si"ple l!ans4 A tr#st a%%!#nt, a%%!rdin$ t! t.e Pe!ple"a2 n!t 'e %!nsidered a dep!sit 'e%a#se it d!es n!t %reate t.e F#ridi%al relati!n !f %redit!r and de't!r tr#st

and dep!sit !perati!ns are treated separatel2 and are different in le$al %!nte"plati!n tr#st !perati!n is

separate and distin%t fr!" 'an0in$ and re?#ires a $rant !f separate a#t.!rit2, and tr#st f#nds are n!t %!1ered

'2 dep!sit ins#ran%e #nder t.e P.ilippine &ep!sit Ins#ran%e C!rp!rati!n la= 3RA N! 8inall2, t.e Pe!ple ar$#es t.at t.e Sandi$an'a2an r#lin$ t.at t.e #se !f an alias 'ef!re 'an0 !ffi%ersd!es n!t 1i!late CA N! (9* effe%ti1el2 en%!#ra$es t.e %!""issi!n !f =r!n$d!in$ and t.e %!n%eal"ent !f

ill-$!tten =ealt. #nder pse#d!n2"s it s#stains an an!"al!#s and preF#di%ial p!li%2 t.at #ses t.e la= t!

silen%e 'an0 !ffi%ials and e"pl!2ees fr!" rep!rtin$ t.e %!""issi!n !f %ri"es T.e Pe!ple %!ntends t.at.e la= RA N! (9+< =as n!t intended '2 t.e Be$islat#re t! 'e #sed as a s#'terf#$e !r %a"!#fla$e f!r

t.e %!""issi!n !f %ri"es and %ann!t 'e s! interpreted t.e la= %an !nl2 'e interpreted, #nderst!!d and

applied s! t.at ri$.t and F#sti%e =!#ld pre1ail

e see n! "erit in t.ese ar$#"ents

e a$ree, albeit f!r a different reas!n, =it. t.e Sandi$an'a2an p!siti!n t.at t.e r#le in t.e la= !f

li'el that mere communication to a third person is publicity d!es n!t appl2 t! 1i!lati!ns !f CA N!

(9* O#r %l!se readin$ !f 2rsua = particularly, the re!uirement that there be intention by the user to be

culpable and the historical reasons we cited above tells #s t.at t.e re?#ired p#'li%it2 in t.e #se !f alias is"!re t.an "ere %!""#ni%ati!n t! a t.ird pers!n t.e #se !f t.e alias, t! 'e %!nsidered p#'li%, "#st 'e "ade

!penl2, !r in an !pen "anner !r pla%e, !r t! %a#se it t! 'e%!"e $enerall2 0n!=n In !rder t! 'e .eld lia'le

f!r a 1i!lati!n !f CA N! (9*, t.e #ser !f t.e alias "#st .a1e .eld .i"self !#t as a pers!n =.! s.all p#'li%l2'e 0n!=n #nder t.at !t.er na"e In !t.er =!rds, the intent to publicly use the alias must be manifest

T! !#r "ind, t.e presen%e !f Ba%?#ian and C.#a =.en Estrada si$ned as !se 7elarde and !pened

Tr#st A%%!#nt N! C-()8 d!es n!t ne%essaril2 indi%ate .is intenti!n t! 'e p#'li%l2 0n!=n .en%ef!rt. as !se7elarde In relati!n t! Estrada, Ba%?#ian and C.#a =ere n!t part !f t.e p#'li% =.! .ad n! a%%ess t!

Estradas pri1a%2 and t! t.e %!nfidential "atters t.at transpired in Mala%aan =.ere .e sat as President

Ba%?#ian =as t.e C.ief !f Staff =it. =.!" .e s.ared "atters !f t.e .i$.est and stri%test %!nfiden%e, =.ileC.#a =as a la=2er-friend '!#nd '2 .is !at. !f !ffi%e and ties !f friends.ip t! 0eep and "aintain t.e pri1a%2

and se%re%2 !f .is affairs T.#s, Estrada %!#ld n!t 'e said t! .a1e intended .is si$nin$ as !se 7elarde t! 'e

f!r p#'li% %!ns#"pti!n '2 t.e fa%t al!ne t.at Ba%?#ian and C.#a =ere als! inside t.e r!!" at t.atti"e T.e sa"e .!lds tr#e f!r Estradas alle$ed representati!ns =it. Ortali/a and &i%.a1e/, ass#"in$ t.e

e1iden%e f!r t.ese representati!ns t! 'e ad"issi'le All !f Estradas representati!ns t! t.ese pe!ple =ere

"ade in pri1a%2 and in se%re%2, =it. n! i!ta !f intenti!n !f p#'li%it2


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T.e nat#re, t!!, !f t.e transa%ti!n !n =.i%. t.e indi%t"ent rests, aff!rds Estrada a reas!na'le

epe%tati!n !f pri1a%2, as t.e alle$ed %ri"inal a%t related t! t.e !penin$ !f a tr#st a%%!#nt a transa%ti!nt.at RA N! (9+< %!nsiders a's!l#tel2 %!nfidential in nat#re 5896 e pre1i!#sl2 reFe%ted, in$4ercito v

Sandiganbayan,58


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applies n!t !nl2 t! "!ne2 =.i%. is dep!sited '#t als! t! t.!se =.i%. are in1ested T.is f#rt.er

s.!=s t.at t.e la= =as n!t intended t! appl2 !nl2 t! dep!sitsJ in t.e stri%t sense !f t.e=!rd Ot.er=ise, t.ere =!#ld .a1e 'een n! need t! add t.e p.rase !r in1ested

Clearl2, t.eref!re, RA (9+< is 'r!ad en!#$. t! %!1er Tr#st A%%!#nt N! inall2, RA N! ;()+, as a la= !f re%ent 1inta$e in relati!n t!t.e indi%t"ent a$ainst Estrada, %ann!t 'e a s!#r%e !r an infl#en%in$ fa%t!r in .is indi%t"ent

In findin$ t.e a'sen%e !f t.e re?#isite p#'li%it2, =e si"pl2 l!!0ed at t.e t!talit2 !f t.e %ir%#"stan%es

!'tainin$ in Estradas #se !f t.e alias !se 7elardeJ vis->-vist.e2rsua re?#isites e d! n!t de%ide .ere

=.et.er Estradas #se !f an alias =.en .e !%%#pied t.e .i$.est ee%#ti1e p!siti!n in t.e land =as 1alid andle$al =e si"pl2 deter"ined, as t.e Sandi$an'a2an did, =.et.er .e "a2 'e "ade lia'le f!r t.e !ffense

%.ar$ed 'ased !n t.e e1iden%e t.e Pe!ple presented As =it. an2 !t.er a%%#sed, .is $#ilt "#st 'e 'ased !n

t.e e1iden%e and pr!!f 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t t.at a findin$ !f %ri"inal lia'ilit2 re?#ires If t.e Pe!plefails t! dis%.ar$e t.is '#rden, as t.e2 did fail in t.is %ase, t.e r#le !f la= re?#ires t.at =e s! de%lare e d!

s! n!= in t.is re1ie= and a%%!rdin$l2 find n! re1ersi'le err!r !f la= in t.e assailed Sandi$an'a2an r#lin$
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn37http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn36http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn37


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pr!.i'iti!n !n t.e ena%t"ent and #se !f e? post factola=s586

e .asten t! add t.at t.is .!listi% appli%ati!n and interpretati!n !f t.ese 1ari!#s la=s is n!t an

atte"pt t! .ar"!ni/e t.ese la=s A findin$ !f %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense p#nis.ed #nder CA N! (9* "#s

ne%essaril2 rest !n t.e e1iden%e !f t.e re?#isites f!r %#lpa'ilit2, as a"plified in 2rsua T.e appli%ati!n !fRA N! (9+< is si$nifi%ant !nl2 'e%a#se Estradas #se !f t.e alias =as p#rs#ant t! a transa%ti!n t.at t.e

la= %!nsiders pri1ate !r, at t.e 1er2 least, =.ere t.e la= $#arantees a reas!na'le epe%tati!n !f pri1a%2 t!

t.e parties t! t.e transa%ti!ns it is at t.is p!int t.at RA N! (9+< tan$entiall2 interfa%es =it. an indi%t"ent

#nder CA (9* In t.is li$.t, t.ere is n! a%t#al fr!ntal %las. 'et=een CA N! (9* and RA N! (9+< t.atre?#ires .ar"!ni/ati!n Ea%. !perates =it.in its !=n sp.ere, '#t "#st ne%essaril2 'e read t!$et.er =.en

t.ese sp.eres interfa%e =it. !ne an!t.er >inall2, RA N! ;()+, as a la= !f re%ent 1inta$e in relati!n t!

t.e indi%t"ent a$ainst Estrada, %ann!t 'e a s!#r%e !r an infl#en%in$ fa%t!r in .is indi%t"ent

In findin$ t.e a'sen%e !f t.e re?#isite p#'li%it2, =e si"pl2 l!!0ed at t.e t!talit2 !f t.e %ir%#"stan%es

!'tainin$ in Estradas #se !f t.e alias !se 7elardeJ vis->-vist.e2rsua re?#isites e d! n!t de%ide .ere=.et.er Estradas #se !f an alias =.en .e !%%#pied t.e .i$.est ee%#ti1e p!siti!n in t.e land =as 1alid and

le$al =e si"pl2 deter"ined, as t.e Sandi$an'a2an did, =.et.er .e "a2 'e "ade lia'le f!r t.e !ffense

%.ar$ed 'ased !n t.e e1iden%e t.e Pe!ple presented As =it. an2 !t.er a%%#sed, .is $#ilt "#st 'e 'ased !nt.e e1iden%e and pr!!f 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t t.at a findin$ !f %ri"inal lia'ilit2 re?#ires If t.e Pe!ple

fails t! dis%.ar$e t.is '#rden, as t.e2 did fail in t.is %ase, t.e r#le !f la= re?#ires t.at =e s! de%lare e d!s! n!= in t.is re1ie= and a%%!rdin$l2 find n! re1ersi'le err!r !f la= in t.e assailed Sandi$an'a2an r#lin$

1HEREORE, pre"ises %!nsidered, =e DEN, t.e petiti!n f!r la%0 !f "erit

SO ORDERED

SECOND DIVISION

CESAR P GUY, GR N!s ());9-;)

Petiti!ner, Present:

UISUM@ING,J., Chairperson,

CARPIO-MORABES, TINGA, - 1ers#s - 7EBASCO, R, and

PERABTA, JJ.@

Pr!"#l$ated:

THE PEOPBE O> THE PHIBIPPINES, Mar%. *+, *++; Resp!ndent
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/164368-69.htm#_ftn38http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn1


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-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

>EBIK T RIPAB&A, CONCEPCION GR N!s ())+-*

C ESPERAS, E&UAR&O7IBBAMOR, and ER7IN C

MARTINEZ,

Petiti!ners,

- 1ers#s -

PEOPBE O> THE PHIBIPPINES,Resp!ndent

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

NARCISA A GRE>IEB, GR N!s ()+-;+

Petiti!ner,

- 1ers#s -

THE HON SAN&IGAN@AYAN and

THE PEOPBE O> THE PHIBIPPINES,

Resp!ndents

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

D E C I S I O N

TINGA,J.:

T.ese are %!ns!lidated petiti!ns f!r re1ie= assailin$ t.e de%isi!n !f t.e Sandi$an'a2an dated *

Septe"'er *++9 in Cri"inal Cases N! *)


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It appears t.at an a#dit in1esti$ati!n =as %!nd#%ted '2 t.e C!""issi!n !n A#dit 3COA4 in resp!nse t! a

letter-%!"plaint !f !ne Alfred! Al'er%a re$ardin$ t.e t.ree pr!Fe%ts5#rt.er"!re, G#2 and Grefiel are als! resp!nsi'le

f!r $i1in$ A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n t.e %.e%0 pa2"ents e1en 'ef!re re?#ests f!r !'li$ati!n !f appr!priati!ns anddis'#rse"ent 1!#%.ers =ere "ade5((6T.e $raft %!#rt als! f!#nd t.at t.e %!nstr#%ti!n !f t.e pr!Fe%ts =ere

rep!rted t! petiti!ner e"pl!2ees after t.e pr!Fe%ts .ad alread2 'een %!"pleted, and t.at t.ese an!"alies

n!t=it.standin$, petiti!ner e"pl!2ees %ertified t.at t.e pr!Fe%ts =ere "ade in a%%!rdan%e =it. t.e plans andt.at t.e sa"e =ere (++ %!"pleted >#rt.er, t.e Sandi$an'a2an f!#nd t.at t.e ?#alit2 !f t.e da2 %are %enter
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn12http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn6http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn7http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn8http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn9http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn10http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn11http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/march2009/166794-96.htm#_ftn12


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pr!Fe%t =as s#'standard, t.e pr!$ra" !f =!r0 =as n!t f!ll!=ed, and =!rse, t.e %!ntra%t a"!#nts f!r t.e

'as0et'all %!#rt and t.e ele1ated pat. =al0 e%eeded t.e all!=a'le pr!Fe%t %!sts5(*6>inall2, t.e Sandi$an'a2anr#led t.at t.e a%ts !f t.e petiti!ners, ta0en %!lle%ti1el2, satisfa%t!ril2 pr!1e t.e eisten%e !f %!nspira%25(86

&isp!sin$ !f t.e $raft %ases, t.e Sandi$an'a2an r#led as f!ll!=s:

C!nsiderin$ t.at all t.e ele"ents !f RA N! 8+(;, Se% 83e4 =ere =it.!#t d!#'t esta'lis.ed in t.ese %ases and

t.e alle$ati!n !f %!nspira%2 s.!=n, a "!ral %ertaint2 is a%.ie1ed t! find t.e a%%#sed lia'le f!r t.e a%ts t.e2

%!""itted

HERE>ORE, a%%#sed >EBIK RIPAB&A, E&UAR&O 7IBBAMOR, CONCEPCION ESPERAS, ER7IN

MARTINEZ, CESAR GUY and NARCISA GRE>IEB are f!#nd $#ilt2 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t !f .a1in$1i!lated RA N! 8+(;, Se% 83e4 and are senten%ed t! s#ffer t.e indeter"inate penalt2 !f si 3)4 2ears and !ne

3(4 "!nt. as "ini"#" and nine 3;4 2ears as "ai"#" f!r ea%. !f t.e t.ree !ffenses, perpet#al dis?#alifi%ati!nfr!" p#'li% !ffi%e and t! inde"nif2 F!intl2 and se1erall2 t.e G!1ern"ent !f t.e Rep#'li% !f t.e P.ilippines in

t.e a"!#nt !f ele1en t.!#sand ei$.t .#ndred ninet2 3P((, ;ORMATIONS t.at =!#ld indi%ate t.e %l!se inti"a%2 'et=een t.e dis%.ar$e !f t.e a%%#seds !ffi%iald#ties and t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense %.ar$ed, in !rder t! ?#alif2 t.e %ri"e as .a1in$ 'een %!""itted in

relati!n t! p#'li% !ffi%eJ

* GRANTING ARGUEN&O t.at t.e SAN&IGAN@AYAN 3>!#rt. &i1isi!n4 .ad F#risdi%ti!n !1er

t.ese t.ree 384 %ri"inal %asesit f#rt.er %!""itted seri!#s err!rs !f la= and disre$arded appli%a'le

F#rispr#den%e !f t.is H!n!ra'le C!#rt and t.#s, a%ted =it. $ra1e a'#se !f dis%reti!n a"!#ntin$ t! la%0 !f, !r ine%ess !f F#risdi%ti!n =.en it rendered t.e assailed &ECISION %!n1i%tin$ .erein petiti!ner and .is %!-a%%#sed

and iss#ed t.e ?#esti!ned RESOBUTION den2in$ t.eir MOTIONs >OR RECONSI&ERATION despite t.e fa%t

t.at t.e pr!se%#ti!n e1identl2 failed t! pr!1e t.e $#ilt !f petiti!ner and .is %!-a%%#sed 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'tand f#rt.er "isera'l2 failed t! pr!1e t.e alle$ati!n !f %!nspira%2 'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t 5()6
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In GR N! ()+-;+ 3 Nar%isa M Grefiel 1 T.e H!n Sandi$an'a2an and t.e Pe!ple !f t.e P.ilippines4:

THE RESPON&ENT SAN&IGAN@AYAN PABPA@BY &ISREGAR&E& THE >UN&AMENTAB RIGHT O>THE PETITIONER TO @E PRESUME& INNOCENT AN&, INSTEA&, RE7ERSE& THE PRESUMPTION

AN& CON7ICTE& THE PETITIONER O> 7IOBATION O> THE ANTI-GRA>T BA INSPITE O> THE

CONCE&E& >ACT THAT PETITIONER HAS NOT &IRECTBY OR IN&IRECTBY PARTICIPATE& IN THE

PRE-@I&&ING, @I&&ING, AAR&, PROSECUTION AN& SUPER7ISION O> THE PROECTS O> THE@ARANGAY, THE CON7ICTION RESTING NOT ON THE @ASIS O> CONCRETE INCUBPATORY

E7I&ENCE @UT ON THE SEEPING &ECBARATION THAT SHE AS ONE O> THE SIGNATORIES

O> THE &IS@URSEMENT 7OUCHERS AN& THE CHECS RESUBTE& IN A &U@IOUS >IN&ING THATTHE PETITIONER CONSPIRE& AN& CON>E&ERATE& ITH HER CO-ACCUE& >OR THE

SU@STAN&AR& CONSTRUCTION O> THE @ARANGAY PROECTS 5(6

In GR N! ())+-* 3>eli T Ripalda, C!n%ep%i!n C Esperas, Ed#ard! 7illa"!r, and Er1in

C Martine/ 1 Pe!ple !f t.e P.ilippines4:

GROUN&S >OR THE PETITION

I

THE COURT A2&&I& NOT ACUIRE URIS&ICTION O7ER THE CASE

II

THE ASSAIBE& &ECISION O> THE COURT A2&IS NOT IN ACCOR& ITH BA AN&APPBICA@BE &ECISIONS O> THE SUPREME COURT

III

THE CONCBUSION O> THE COURT A2&>RIN&ING THE PETITIONERS GUIBTY O> THE CRIME

CHARGE& IS GROUN&E& ENTIREBY ON ESTIMATES, SPECUBATIONS, SURMISES AN&OR

CONECTURES5(6

In essen%e, petiti!ners "aintain t.at t.e Sandi$an'a2an .ad n!t a%?#ired F#risdi%ti!n !1er t.e" 'e%a#se t.et.ree inf!r"ati!ns failed t! state t.e spe%ifi% a%t#al alle$ati!ns t.at =!#ld indi%ate t.e %!nne%ti!n 'et=een t.e

dis%.ar$e !f t.eir !ffi%ial d#ties and t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffenses %.ar$ed !r alternati1el2, ass#"in$ t.at t.e

Sandi$an'a2an .ad a%t#all2 a%?#ired F#risdi%ti!n, t.e pr!se%#ti!n failed t! pr!1e t.e $#ilt !f t.e a%%#sed

'e2!nd reas!na'le d!#'t, as =ell as t.e eisten%e !f %!nspira%2

T.e Pe!ple !f t.e P.ilippines, represented '2 t.e Offi%e !f t.e O"'#ds"an 3OM@4, ar$#es t.at t.e a1er"entsin t.e Inf!r"ati!ns are %!"plete and =antin$ !f t.e sli$.test 1a$#eness as t! den!te an!t.er interpretati!n !r

"islead an2!neJ5(;6Se%ti!n ), R#le ((+ !f t.e Re1ised R#les !f C!#rt "erel2 re?#ire t.e inf!r"ati!n t!

des%ri'e t.e !ffense =it. s#ffi%ient parti%#larit2 as t! apprise t.e a%%#sed !f =.at t.e2 are 'ein$ %.ar$ed =it.and t! ena'le t.e %!#rt t! pr!n!#n%e F#d$"ent, s#%. t.at e1identiar2 "atters need n!t 'e alle$ed in t.e

inf!r"ati!n T.e OM@ adds t.at if it =ere tr#e t.at t.e alle$ati!ns are 1a$#e !r indefinite, petiti!ners s.!#ld

.a1e filed a "!ti!n f!r a 'ill !f parti%#lars as pr!1ided #nder Se%ti!n ;, R#le (() !f t.e R#les !f C!#rt t!
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?#esti!n t.e alle$ed ins#ffi%ien%2 !f t.e inf!r"ati!ns, !r a "!ti!n t! ?#as. !n t.e $r!#nd t.at t.e fa%ts a1erred

d! n!t %!nstit#te an !ffense

T.e OM@ asserts t.at t.e pr!se%#ti!n .ad satisfa%t!ril2 pr!1en t.e eisten%e !f t.e ele"ents !f t.e !ffense

#nder Se%ti!n 83e4 !f RA N! 8+(;, as =ell as t.e eisten%e !f %!nspira%2 a"!n$ t.e a%%#sed5*+6

In additi!n, t.e OM@ alle$es t.at Grefiels %lai" t.at s.e =as "erel2 %!nstrained t! si$n t.e dis'#rse"ent

1!#%.ers and %.e%0s relati1e t! t.e s#'Fe%t pr!Fe%ts is p#re s!p.istr2, sin%e as 'aran$a2 treas#rer s.e is

"andated t! dis'#rse f#nds in a%%!rdan%e =it. t.e B!%al G!1ern"ent C!de E1en Grefiels %lai" !f "inis%#leed#%ati!nal attain"ent s.!#ld n!t e%#se .er fr!" lia'ilit25*(6 T.e OM@ p!sits t.at petiti!ners alle$ati!n !f

err!r is a%t#all2 desi$ned t! l#re t.e C!#rt int! re-!penin$ t.e %ase !n t.e 'asis !f t.e testi"!n2 !f t.e

pr!se%#ti!n =itnesses =.i%., .!=e1er, !n %l!se s%r#tin2 appear t! 'e %redi'le and s#'stantiatedJ5**6

T.e petiti!ns .a1e t! 'e denied

Petiti!ners =ere %.ar$ed =it. 1i!lati!n !f Se%ti!n 83e4 !f RA N! 8+(;, =.i%. states:

SEC 8 Corrupt practices of public officersIn additi!n t! a%ts !r !"issi!ns !f p#'li% !ffi%ers alread2

penali/ed '2 eistin$ la=, t.e f!ll!=in$ s.all %!nstit#te %!rr#pt pra%ti%es !f an2 p#'li% !ffi%er and are .ere'2de%lared t! 'e #nla=f#l:

3e4 Ca#sin$ an2 #nd#e inF#r2 t! an2 part2, in%l#din$ t.e G!1ern"ent, !r $i1in$ an2 pri1ate part2 an2#n=arranted 'enefits, ad1anta$e !r preferen%e in t.e dis%.ar$e !f .is !ffi%ial, ad"inistrati1e !r F#di%ial

f#n%ti!ns t.r!#$. "anifest partialit2, e1ident 'ad fait. !r $r!ss ine%#sa'le ne$li$en%e T.is pr!1isi!n s.all

appl2 t! !ffi%ers and e"pl!2ees !f !ffi%es !r $!1ern"ent %!rp!rati!ns %.ar$ed =it. t.e $rant !f li%enses !rper"its !r !t.er %!n%essi!nsJ

T! .!ld a pers!n lia'le #nder t.is se%ti!n, t.e %!n%#rren%e !f t.e f!ll!=in$ ele"ents "#st 'e esta'lis.ed, vi/:
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3(4 t.at t.e a%%#sed is a p#'li% !ffi%er !r a pri1ate pers!n %.ar$ed in %!nspira%2 =it. t.e f!r"er

3*4 t.at said p#'li% !ffi%er %!""its t.e pr!.i'ited a%ts d#rin$ t.e perf!r"an%e !f .is !r .er !ffi%ial d#ties !r in

relati!n t! .is !r .er p#'li% p!siti!ns

384 t.at .e !r s.e %a#ses #nd#e inF#r2 t! an2 part2, =.et.er t.e $!1ern"ent !r a pri1ate part2 and

394 t.at t.e p#'li% !ffi%er .as a%ted =it. "anifest partialit2, e1ident 'ad fait. !r $r!ss ine%#sa'lene$li$en%eJ5*86

Petiti!ners, %itin$ t.e %ase !f "acson v. +he $?ecutive Secretary,5*96assert t.at t.e inf!r"ati!ns d! n!t

%!ntain t.e spe%ifi% fa%t#al alle$ati!ns s.!=in$ t.e %l!se inti"a%2 'et=een t.e dis%.ar$e !f

petiti!ners !ffi%ial d#ties and t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense %.ar$ed t! ?#alif2 t.e !ffense as !ne%!""itted in relati!n t! p#'li% !ffi%e In"acson, t.e C!#rt r#led t.at 'ef!re t.e Sandi$an'a2an "a2 a%?#ire

F#risdi%ti!n !1er t.e !ffense %.ar$ed, t.e inti"ate relati!n 'et=een t.e !ffense %.ar$ed and t.e dis%.ar$e !f

!ffi%ial d#ties "#st 'e alle$ed in t.e inf!r"ati!nJ5*


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Indeed, F#rispr#den%e is replete =it. %ases des%ri'in$ =.en an !ffense is dee"ed %!""itted in relati!n

t! !ffi%eJ In Montilla and +obia v. IEB, als! p#'li% !ffi%ers, 'ein$ @aran$a2 Captain and @aran$a2 Treas#rer, respe%ti1el2, !f @aran$a2 8),

Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'an Cit2, in s#%. %apa%it2 and %!""ittin$ t.e !ffense in relati!n t! !ffi%e, %!nni1in$,

%!nfederatin$ t!$et.er and "#t#all2 .elpin$ =it. ea%. !t.er and =it. E&GAR AMAGO, a pri1ate indi1id#al,C!ntra%t!r and Pr!priet!r !f A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n and General Ser1i%es, In%, Ta%l!'an Cit2, =it. deli'erate

intent, =it. "anifest partialit2 and e1ident 'ad fait., did t.en and t.ere =illf#ll2, #nla=f#ll2 and fel!ni!#sl2

%!nstr#%t and!r %a#se t.e %!nstr#%ti!n !f an ele1ated pat. =al0 !f @aran$a2 8), Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'anCit2, =it. t.e %!ntra%t %!st !f SIKTY-TO THOUSAN& PESOS 3P)*,+++++4, P.ilippine C#rren%2 =it.!#t

f!ll!=in$ t.e appr!1ed pr!$ra" !f =!r0 and dra=in$ plan, in 1i!lati!n !f t.e &IBG Me"!rand#" Cir%#lar N!

;9-(EBIK T

RIPAB&A, E&UAR&O R 7IBBAMOR, CONCEPCION C ESPERAS and ER7IN C MARTINEZ, p#'li%

!ffi%ers, 'ein$ t.e Cit2 En$ineer, Pr!Fe%t En$ineer, Pr!Fe%t Inspe%t!r and IC& Representati1e, Cit2Ad"inistrat!rs Offi%e, respe%ti1el2, !f t.e Cit2 G!1ern"ent !f Ta%l!'an, CESAR P GUY and NARCISA A

GRE>IEB, als! p#'li% !ffi%ers, 'ein$ t.e @aran$a2 Captain and @aran$a2 Treas#rer, respe%ti1el2, !f @aran$a2

8), Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'an Cit2, in s#%. %apa%it2 and %!""ittin$ t.e !ffense in relati!n t! !ffi%e, %!nni1in$,%!nfederatin$ t!$et.er and "#t#all2 .elpin$ =it. ea%. !t.er and =it. E&GAR AMAGO, a pri1ate indi1id#al,
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C!ntra%t!r and Pr!priet!r !f A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n and General Ser1i%es, In%, Ta%l!'an Cit2, =it. deli'erateintent, =it. "anifest partialit2 and e1ident 'ad fait., did t.en and t.ere =illf#ll2, #nla=f#ll2 and fel!ni!#sl2

%!nstr#%t and!r %a#se t.e %!nstr#%ti!n !f t.e @as0et'all C!#rt !f @aran$a2 8), Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'an Cit2,

=it.!#t ad.erin$ t! t.e appr!1ed pr!$ra" !f =!r0 and n!n-preparati!n !f t.e plans and spe%ifi%ati!ns in1i!lati!n !f &IBG Me"!rand#" Cir%#lar N! ;9-(EBIK T

RIPAB&A, E&UAR&O R 7IBBAMOR, CONCEPCION C ESPERAS and ER7IN C MARTINEZ, p#'li%

!ffi%ers, 'ein$ t.e Cit2 En$ineer, Pr!Fe%t En$ineer, Pr!Fe%t Inspe%t!r and IC& Representati1e, Cit2Ad"inistrat!rs Offi%e, respe%ti1el2, !f t.e Cit2 G!1ern"ent !f Ta%l!'an, CESAR P GUY and NARCISA A

GRE>IEB, als! p#'li% !ffi%ers, 'ein$ t.e @aran$a2 Captain and @aran$a2 Treas#rer, respe%ti1el2, !f @aran$a28), Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'an Cit2, in s#%. %apa%it2 and %!""ittin$ t.e !ffense in relati!n t! !ffi%e, %!nni1in$,

%!nfederatin$ t!$et.er and "#t#all2 .elpin$ =it. ea%. !t.er and =it. E&GAR AMAGO, a pri1ate indi1id#al,C!ntra%t!r and Pr!priet!r !f A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n and General Ser1i%es, In%, Ta%l!'an Cit2, =it. deli'erate

intent, =it. "anifest partialit2 and e1ident 'ad fait., did t.en and t.ere =illf#ll2, #nla=f#ll2 and fel!ni!#sl2

%!nstr#%t and!r %a#se t.e %!nstr#%ti!n !f t.e &a2 Care Center !f @aran$a2 8), Sa'an$ &istri%t, Ta%l!'an Cit2,=it.!#t plans and spe%ifi%ati!ns, and n!t in a%%!rdan%e =it. t.e appr!1ed pr!$ra" !f =!r0, as t.e said %enter

=as %!nstr#%ted and %!"pleted 'ef!re t.e %!"pleti!n !f t.e pr!$ra" !f =!r0, t.ere'2 res#ltin$ t! 3si%4 t.e

in%rease and !1erpri%in$ !f %!nstr#%ti!n %!st, =.i%. =as !ri$inall2 fied at >ORTY-TO
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THOUSAN& PESOS 3P9*,+++++4, P.ilippine C#rren%2, t! NINETY-THREE THOUSAN& PESOS3P;8,+++++4, P.ilippine C#rren%2, in 1i!lati!n !f t.e &IBG Me"!rand#" Cir%#lar N! ;9-(irst, petiti!ners %!#ld n!t .a1e %!""itted t.e !ffense %.ar$ed =ere it n!t f!r t.eir !ffi%ial d#ties !r f#n%ti!ns

as p#'li% !ffi%ials T.eir "alfeasan%e !r "isfeasan%e in relati!n t! t.eir d#ties and f#n%ti!ns #nderlies t.eir1i!lati!n !f Se% 83e4 !f RA N! 8+(; Se%!nd, t.e #nd#e inF#r2 %a#sed t! t.e $!1ern"ent is e1ident fr!" t.e

%lear de1iati!n fr!" t.e "aterial spe%ifi%ati!ns indi%ated in t.e pr!Fe%t plans s#%. as in t.e %ase !f t.e

'as0et'all %!#rt and ele1ated pat. =al0, and in t.e #se !f s#'standard "aterials in t.e %ase !f t.e da2 %are%enter Ot.er=ise stated, t.e Pe!ple did n!t $et t.e f#ll =!rt. !f t.eir "!ne2 in ter"s !f t.e 'enefits t.e2 =ill
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deri1e fr!" t.e 3a'!1e4 s#'-standard infrastr#%t#re pr!Fe%tsJ586T.ird, #n=arranted 'enefits =ere a%%!rded t!

A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n =.en t.e t.ree pr!Fe%ts =ere n!t inspe%ted and s#per1ised d#rin$ %!nstr#%ti!n, all!=in$ itt! %#t %!sts and sa1e "!ne2 '2 #sin$ s#'standard "aterials and de1iatin$ fr!" t.e spe%ifi% "aterials and

"eas#re"ents pres%ri'ed in t.e =!r0 pr!$ra"s M!re!1er, A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n =as a'le t! re%ei1e pa2"ents

f!r t.e pr!Fe%ts e1en 'ef!re t.e pr!%essin$ !f t.e dis'#rse"ent 1!#%.ers, t.ere'2 pre1entin$ t.e $!1ern"entfr!" ref#sin$ !r deferrin$ pa2"ent !n a%%!#nt !f dis%!1ered defe%ts !f t.e said pr!Fe%ts >!#rt., it is %lear t.at

fr!" t.e 1er2 in%epti!n !f t.e %!nstr#%ti!n !f t.e s#'Fe%t pr!Fe%ts #p t! t.eir %!"pleti!n, petiti!ners

.ad e.i'ited "anifest partialit2 f!r A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n, and a%ted =it. e1ident 'ad fait. a$ainst t.e

$!1ern"ent and t.e p#'li% =.i%. t.e2 .ad s=!rn t! ser1e

Neit.er are =e in%lined t! 1a%ate t.e Sandi$an'a2ans findin$ !f %!nspira%2 a"!n$ petiti!ners

#rispr#den%e tea%.es #s t.at pr!!f !f t.e a$ree"ent need n!t rest !n dire%t e1iden%e, as t.e a$ree"ent itself

"a2 'e inferred fr!" t.e %!nd#%t !f t.e parties dis%l!sin$ a %!""!n #nderstandin$ a"!n$ t.e" =it. respe%t t!

t.e %!""issi!n !f t.e !ffense It is n!t ne%essar2 t! s.!= t.at t=! !r "!re pers!ns "et t!$et.er and enteredint! an epli%it a$ree"ent settin$ !#t t.e details !f an #nla=f#l s%.e"e !r t.e details '2 =.i%. an ille$al

!'Fe%ti1e is t! 'e %arried !#tJ586 T.eref!re, if it is pr!1ed t.at t=! !r "!re pers!ns ai"ed t.eir a%ts t!=ards

t.e a%%!"plis."ent !f t.e sa"e #nla=f#l !'Fe%t, ea%. d!in$ a part s! t.at t.eir a%ts, t.!#$. apparentl2independent, =ere in fa%t %!nne%ted and %!!perati1e, indi%atin$ a %l!seness !f pers!nal ass!%iati!n and a

%!n%#rren%e !f senti"ent, t.en a %!nspira%2 "a2 'e inferred t.!#$. n! a%t#al "eetin$ a"!n$ t.e" t! %!n%ert"eans is pr!1ed58;6C!nspira%2 =as t.#s pr!perl2 appre%iated '2 t.e Sandi$an'a2an 'e%a#se e1en t.!#$. t.ere

=as n! dire%t pr!!f t.at petiti!ners a$reed t! %a#se inF#r2 t! t.e $!1ern"ent and $i1e #n=arranted 'enefits t!A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n, t.eir indi1id#al a%ts =.en ta0en t!$et.er as a =.!le s.!=ed t.at t.e2 =ere a%tin$ in

%!n%ert and %!!peratin$ t! a%.ie1e t.e sa"e #nla=f#l !'Fe%ti1e T.e 'aran$a2 !ffi%ials a=ard !f t.e %!ntra%t

t! A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n =it.!#t t.e 'enefit !f spe%ifi% plans and spe%ifi%ati!ns, t.e preparati!n !f =!r0pr!$ra"s !nl2 after t.e %!nstr#%ti!ns .ad 'een %!"pleted, t.e iss#an%e and en%as."ent !f %.e%0s in fa1!r !f

A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n e1en 'ef!re an2 re?#est t! !'li$ate t.e appr!priati!n !r t! iss#e a dis'#rse"ent 1!#%.er

=as "ade, and t.e s#'se?#ent inspe%ti!n and iss#an%e !f %ertifi%ates !f %!"pleti!n '2 petiti!nere"pl!2ees despite t.e a'sen%e !f "aterial d!%#"ents =ere all $eared t!=ards !ne p#rp!set! %a#se #nd#e

inF#r2 t! t.e $!1ern"ent and #nd#l2 fa1!r A"a$! C!nstr#%ti!n

1HEREORE, t.e %!ns!lidated petiti!ns are .ere'2 DISMISSEDf!r la%0 !f "erit T.e &e%isi!n !f

t.e Sandi$an'a2an dated * Septe"'er *++9 in Cri"inal Case N!s *)

21 january 2015 consti

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