Pacasum vs. People (180314) 585 SCRA 616 (2009)

8/19/2019 Pacasum vs. People (180314) 585 SCRA 616 (2009)

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EN BANC

NORMALLAH A. PACASUM,

Petitioner,

- versus -

PEOPLE OF THEPHILIPPINES,

Respondent.

G.R. No. 180314

Present:

PUNO, C.J .,

QUISUMBING,

YNARES-SANTIAGO,

CARPIO,

AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,

CORONA,

CARPIO MORAES,

TINGA,

C!ICO-NAZARIO,"EASCO, #R.,

NAC!URA,

$E CASTRO,

BRION,

PERATA, %nd

BERSAMIN, JJ .

Pro&'()%ted:

Apri( *+,

/- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - /

Criminal Law; Falsification of Public Documents; When a person whose signature was

affixed to a document denies his/her signature therein, a prima facie case for falsification is

established which the defendant must overcome.—On the first query, the same was

answered by Laura Pangilan. She said that the signature in petitioner’s Employees

Clearance was not hers. The same was an imitation. When a person whose signature wasaffixed to a document denies his/her signature therein, a prima facie case for falsification is

established which the defendant must overcome.

Same; Same; Use of Falsified Documents; The “use” of a falsified document is separate

and distinct from the “falsification” of a public document; Using falsified documents is

punished under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code; In the falsification of a public


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document, it is immaterial whether or not the contents set forth therein were false—what is

important is the fact that the signature of another was counterfeited.—It is to be made clear

that the “use” of a falsified document is separate and distinct from the “falsification” of a

public document. The act of “using” falsified documents is not necessarily included in the

“falsification” of a public document. Using falsified documents is punished under Article 172

of the Revised Penal Code. In the case at bar, the falsification of the Employees Clearance

was consummated the moment the signature of Laura Pangilan was imitated. In the

falsification of a public document, it is immaterial whether or not the contents set forth

therein were false.What is important is the fact that the signature of another was

counterfeited. It is a settled rule that in the falsification of public or official documents, it is

not necessary that there be present the idea of gain or the intent to injure a third person for

the reason that in the falsification of a public document,the principal thing punished is the

violation of the public faith and the destruction of the truth as therein solemnly

proclaimed. Thus, the purpose for which the falsification was madeand whether the

offender profited or hoped to profit from such falsificationare no longer material.Same; Same; The fact that the Employees Clearance was circulated to the different

division heads for their signatures is already considered use of falsified documents as

contemplated in Article 172.—The records further show that petitioner “used” or uttered the

Employees Clearance. The fact that the same was circulated to the different division heads

for their signatures is already considered use of falsified documents as contemplated in

Article 172. The lack of the stamp mark “Received” in the Employees Clearance does not

mean that said document was not received by the Office of the Regional Governor. We find

the certification signed by Atty. Randolph C. Parcasio, Executive Secretary of Office of the

Regional Governor-ARMM, as contained in the Employees Clearance, to be sufficient proof

that the same was submitted to the Office of the Regional Governor. It must be stressed

that the Executive Secretary is part of the Office of the Regional Governor.

Same; Same; Denials; Denial, when unsubstantiated by clear and convincing evidence,

is negative and self-serving evidence, which deserves no greater evidentiary value than the

testimony of credible witnesses who testify on affirmative matters.—Petitioner’s denial,

unsubstantiated and uncorroborated, must certainly fail. Denial, when unsubstantiated by

clear and convincing evidence, is negative and self-serving evidence, which deserves no

greater evidentiary value than the testimony of credible witnesses who testify on

affirmative matters. Denial is intrinsically weak, being a negative and self-serving

assertion.Same; Same; Circumstantial Evidence; It is not strange to realize that in cases of

forgery, the prosecution would not always have the means for obtaining such direct evidence

to confute acts contrived clandestinely—courts have to rely on circumstantial evidence

consisting of pieces of facts, which if woven together would produce a single network

establishing the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.—The lack of direct evidence

showing that petitioner “actually” imitated the signature of Laura Pangilan in her


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Employees Clearance will not exonerate her. We have ruled that it is not strange to realize

that in cases of forgery, the prosecution would not always have the means for obtaining such

direct evidence to confute acts contrived clandestinely. Courts have to rely on circumstantial

evidence consisting of pieces of facts, which if woven together would produce a single

network establishing the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Same; Same; Presumptions; In the absence of satisfactory explanation, one who is found

in possession of, and who has used, a forged document, is the forger and, therefore, guilty of

falsification.—The circumstances enumerated by the Sandiganbayan, as against the denials

of petitioner, convince us to apply the rule that in the absence of satisfactory explanation,

one who is found in possession of, and who has used, a forged document, is the forger and,

therefore, guilty of falsification. The effect of a presumption upon the burden of proof is to

create the need of presenting evidence to overcome the prima facie case created, which, if no

contrary proof is offered, will thereby prevail. A prima facie case of falsification having been

established, petitioner should have presented clear and convincing evidence to overcome

such burden. This, she failed to do.Same; Same; Evidence; Even though the original of an alleged falsified document is not,

or may no longer be produced in court, a criminal case for falsification may still prosper if

the person wishing to establish the contents of said document via secondary evidence or

substitutionary evidence can adequately show that the best or primary evidence is not

available for any of the causes mentioned in Section 3, Rule 130 of the Revised Rules of

Court.—This Court decrees that even though the original of an alleged falsified document is

not, or may no longer be produced in court, a criminal case for falsification may still prosper

if the person wishing to establish the contents of said documentvia secondary evidence or

substitutionary evidence can adequately show that the best or primary evidence—the

original of the document—is not available for any of the causes mentioned in Section 3, Rule

130 of the Revised Rules of Court.

Same; Same; Elements.—Petitioner was charged with falsifying her Employees

Clearance under Article 171, paragraph 1 of the Revised Penal Code. For one to be

convicted of falsification under said paragraph, the followings elements must concur: (1)

that the offender is a public officer, an employee, or a notary public; (2) that he takes

advantage of his official position; and (3) that he falsifies a document by counterfeiting or

imitating any handwriting, signature or rubric.

Same; Same; In a falsification of public document, the offender is considered to havetaken advantage of his official position when (1) he had the duty to make or prepare or

otherwise intervene in the preparation of the document; or (2) he had official custody of the

document which he falsified.—All the foregoing elements have been sufficiently established.

There is no dispute that petitioner was a public officer, being then the Regional Secretary of

the Department of Tourism of the ARMM, when she caused the preparation of her

Employees Clearance (a public document) for the release of her salary for the months of


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August and September 2000. Such being a requirement, and she being a public officer, she

was duty-bound to prepare, accomplish and submit said document. Were it not for her

position and employment in the ARMM, she could not have accomplished said Employees

Clearance. In a falsification of public document, the offender is considered to have taken

advantage of his official position when (1) he had the duty to make or prepare or otherwise

intervene in the preparation of the document; or (2) he had official custody of the document

which he falsified. It being her duty to prepare and submit said document, she clearly took

advantage of her position when she falsified or caused the falsification of her Employees

Clearance by imitating the signature of Laura Pangilan.

QUISUMBING, J., Dissenting Opinion:

Criminal Law; Falsification of Public Documents; The mere act of an employee of

having his/her clearance signed is not taking advantage of one’s official position.—Elements

(b) and (c) are absent in this case. Petitioner could not have taken advantage of her officialposition to have her employee clearance falsified because she had no need for the clearance.

Moreover, the mere act of an employee of having his/her clearance signed is not taking

advantage of one’s official position. It is erroneous to conclude that were it not for her

position and her employment in the ARMM, petitioner could not have accomplished her

clearance.

Same; Same; Witnesses; The fact alone that the witnesses merely testified that the

signature in the accused’s clearance was falsified is not sufficient proof beyond reasonable

doubt that she is guilty of falsification.—There is no evidence, direct or circumstantial,

showing that petitioner imitated or caused to be imitated the alleged falsified signature in

the clearance. The witnesses merely testified that the signature in petitioner’s clearance

was falsified. This fact alone is not sufficient proof beyond reasonable doubt that she is

guilty of falsification.

Same; Same; Presumptions; For the presumption of authorship of falsification to apply,

the possessor must stand to profit or and profited from the use of the falsified document.—

The Sandiganbayan, for lack of proof of petitioner’s direct participation in falsifying the

document, relied on the disputable legal presumption that the possessor of a falsified

document who makes use of such to her advantage is presumed to be the author of the

falsification. At any rate, for the presumption of authorship of falsification to apply, the

possessor must stand to profit or had profited from the use of the falsified document. In thiscase, petitioner does not stand to profit nor profited from the use of the alleged falsified

document.

PETITION for review on certiorari of the decision and resolution of the

Sandiganbayan.


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The facts are stated in the opinion of the Court.

Jose Ventura Aspirasfor petitioner.

The Solicitor General for respondent.

$ E C I S I O N

C!ICO-NAZARIO, J .:

Be0ore Us is % petition 0or re1ie2 on certiorari 23i43 see5s to set %side t3e

$e4ision6*7 o0 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n in Cri&. C%se No. ;%(si0i4%tion

'nder Arti4(e **, p%r%)r%p3 * o0 t3e Re1ised Pen%( Code, %nd its

Reso('tion67 d%ted O4to8er den9in) petitioners Motion 0or

Re4onsider%tion %nd Motion 0or Ne2 Tri%(?Re4eption o0 Ne2(9 $is4o1ered

E1iden4e.

On M%9 , petitioner 2%s 43%r)ed 8e0ore t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n 2it3

>%(si0i4%tion o0 P'8(i4 $o4'&ents, de0ined %nd p'nis3ed 'nder p%r%)r%p3 * o0

Arti4(e ** o0 t3e Re1ised Pen%( Code, 4o&&itted %s 0o((o2s: T3%t on or %8o't A')'st -=, , or so&eti&e prior or s'8se@'ent t3ereto inCot%8%to Cit9, P3i(ippines %nd 2it3in t3e 'risdi4tion o0 t3is !onor%8(e Co'rt, t3e

%44'sed NORMAA! A. PACASUM, % 3i)3 r%n5in) p'8(i4 o00i4i%( 8ein) t3e

Re)ion%( Se4ret%r9 o0 t3e $ep%rt&ent o0 To'ris& in t3e A'tono&o's Re)ion inM's(i& Mind%n%o, Cot%8%to Cit9, 23i(e in t3e per0or&%n4e o0 3er o00i4i%(

0'n4tions, 4o&&ittin) t3e o00ense in re(%tion t3ereto, t%5in) %d1%nt%)e o0 3er

o00i4i%( position, did t3en %nd t3ere, 2i((0'((9, 'n(%20'((9 %nd 0e(onio's(9 0%(si0ied3er E&p(o9ee C(e%r%n4e6=7s'8&itted to t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor o0 t3e

A'tono&o's Re)ion in M's(i& Mind%n%o, 89 i&it%tin) t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% Y.

P%n)i(%n, t3e S'pp(9 o00i4er I o0 t3e $OT-ARMM, 0or t3e p'rpose o0 4(%i&in) 3er s%(%r9 0or t3e &ont3s o0 A')'st %nd Septe&8er .6;7

On M%9 , petitioner 0i(ed % Motion 0or Rein1esti)%tion %s5in) t3%t s3e 8e

)i1en t3e opport'nit9 to 0i(e 3er 4o'nter-%00id%1it d'rin) % pre(i&in%r9

in1esti)%tion in order t3%t 3er ri)3t to d'e pro4ess 2o'(d not 8e 1io(%ted.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn1http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn2http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn3http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn4http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn1


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67 Petitioner 0'rt3er 0i(ed %n Ur)ent Motion 0or Pre(i&in%r9 In1esti)%tion %nd?or

Rein1esti)%tion 2it3 % Pr%9er to Re4%(( or $e0er Iss'%n4e o0 %rr%nt o0 Arrest.6+7

On ; M%9 ;, t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n denied petitioners &otion 0or pre(i&in%r9

in1esti)%tion?rein1esti)%tion de4reein) t3%t petitioner 2%s not depri1ed o0 t3eopport'nit9 to 8e 3e%rd 8e0ore t3e O00i4e o0 t3e O&8'ds&%n %s s3e 3%d 2%i1ed 3er

ri)3t to 8e 3e%rd on pre(i&in%r9 in1esti)%tion.67

On *+ #'ne ;, petitioner, %ssisted 89 4o'nse( de parte, p(e%ded not )'i(t9 to t3e

4ri&e 43%r)ed.6


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%pp(9in) 0or 4(e%r%n4e s3%(( )et % 4op9 o0 t3e e&p(o9ees 4(e%r%n4e %nd s3%((

%44o&p(is3 t3e s%&e 89 3%1in) t3e di00erent di1ision 3e%ds si)n it.

Mrs. P%n)i(%n dis4(osed t3%t s3e 5ne2 t3e %44'sed-petitioner Nor&%

P%4%s'& to 8e t3e 0or&er Re)ion%( Se4ret%r9 o0 t3e $ep%rt&ent o0 To'ris&F$OT, ARMM. S3e n%rr%ted t3%t in t3e 9e%r , petitioner s'8&itted t3e

ori)in%( o0 %n E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e to 3er o00i4e in 4o&p(i%n4e 2it3 t3e

&e&or%nd'&6*;7 d%ted < A')'st iss'ed 89 Go1ernor N'r Mis'%ri, dire4tin)

%(( o00i4ers %nd e&p(o9ees to 4(e%r t3e&se(1es o0 propert9 %nd &one9

%44o'nt%8i(ities 8e0ore t3eir s%(%ries 0or A')'st %nd Septe&8er 2o'(d 8e

p%id. Upon inspe4tion o0 t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, s3e noti4ed t3%t t3e si)n%t're

o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n F%'r% 4ont%ined in s%id do4'&ent 2%s not 3ers. S3e s%id %'r%

P%n)i(%n 2%s 3er d%')3ter-in-(%2, %nd t3%t t3e (%tters si)n%t're 2%s 1er9 0%&i(i%r to 3er. Mrs. P%n)i(%n i&&edi%te(9 p3oto4opied6*7 t3e ori)in%( E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e 2it3 t3e intention o0 sendin) t3e s%&e to 3er d%')3ter-in-(%2 0or t3e

p'rpose o0 3%1in) t3e (%tter 4on0ir& i0 t3e si)n%t're on top o0 3er n%&e in t3e

E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s 3ers.T3ere 8ein) no &essen)er %1%i(%8(e, s3e inste%d

4%((ed 'p %'r% to 4o&e to 3er o00i4e to 1eri09 t3e si)n%t're. %'r%, 23ose o00i4e

2%s on(9 % 2%(5in) dist%n4e %2%9, 4%&e %nd inspe4ted t3e 4(e%r%n4e, %nd denied

si)nin) t3e s%&e. A0ter s3e denied t3%t s3e si)ned t3e 4(e%r%n4e, %nd 23i(e t3e9

2ere 4on1ersin), t3e 8e%rer o0 t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e too5 s%id do4'&ent %nd

(e0t.Mrs. P%n)i(%n s%id s3e did not 5no2 t3e n%&e o0 t3e person 23o too5 t3e

ori)in%( o0 t3e E&p(o9ee C(e%r%n4e, 8't s%id t3%t t3e (%tter 2%s % nie4e %nd st%00

&e&8er o0 t3e petitioner. S3e s%id t3%t %(( t3e si)n%t'res6*+7 %ppe%rin) in t3e

E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2ere %(( )en'ine e/4ept 0or %'r%s si)n%t're.

T3e ne/t 2itness 0or t3e prose4'tion 2%s %'r% Y. P%n)i(%n, t3e person

23ose si)n%t're 2%s %((e)ed(9 i&it%ted. %'r% testi0ied t3%t present(9 s3e 2%s

3o(din) t3e position o0 !'&%n Reso'r4e M%n%)e&ent O00i4er II o0 t3e $ep%rt&ento0 To'ris& - ARMM.Prior to s%id position, s3e 2%s t3e S'pp(9 O00i4er o0 t3e $OT

- ARMM 0ro& *; to #%n'%r9 *. As s'43, s3e iss'ed &e&or%nd'& re4eipts

FMR to e&p(o9ees 23o 2ere iss'ed )o1ern&ent propert9, %nd re4ei1ed

s'rrendered o00i4e properties 0ro& o00i4ers %nd e&p(o9ees o0 t3e $OT -

ARMM. S3e s%id s3e 5ne2 t3e %44'sed, %s s3e 2%s t3eir Re)ion%( Se4ret%r9 o0 t3e

$OT - ARMM.

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn16


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%'r% re4o'nted t3%t on A')'st , M%rie Cris6*7 B%t'%&p%r, %n

o00i4e&%te %nd nie4e o0 petitioner P%4%s'&, 2ent to 3er 3o'se 2it3 t3e E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e o0 petitioner. B%t'%&p%r re@'ested 3er to si)n in order to 4(e%r petitioner

o0 %(( propert9 %44o'nt%8i(ities. S3e re0'sed to si)n t3e 4(e%r%n4e 8e4%'se %t t3%tti&e, petitioner 3%d not 9et t'rned o1er %(( t3e o00i4e properties iss'ed to 3er. A 0e2

d%9s (%ter, s3e 2%s 4%((ed 89 3er &ot3er-in-(%2 to )o to t3e (%tters o00i4e %nd

inspe4t t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e s'8&itted 89 t3e represent%ti1e o0 petitioner. S3e

2ent to 3er &ot3er-in-(%2s o00i4e %nd 2%s s3o2n t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e o0

petitioner. Upon seein) t3e s%&e, s3e denied t3e si)n%t're6*


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>or t3e de0ense, petitioner %nd Att9. #ose I. oren%, 0or&er ARMM Re)ion%(

So(i4itor Gener%(, too5 t3e st%nd.

>or 3er de0ense, petitioner testi0ied t3%t s3e 2%s %ppointed 89 ARMMRe)ion%( Go1ernor N'r Mis'%ri FGo1. Mis'%ri %s Re)ion%( Se4ret%r9 o0 t3e $OT

o0 t3e ARMM in *. S3e s%id s3e 2%s 0%&i(i%r 2it3 t3e Me&or%nd'& d%ted <

A')'st iss'ed 89 Go1. Mis'%ri dire4tin) %(( ARMM o00i4ers %nd e&p(o9ees

to (i@'id%te %(( o'tst%ndin) 4%s3 %d1%n4es on or 8e0ore =* A')'st in 1ie2 o0

t3e i&pendin) e/pir%tion o0 t3e Go1ernors e/tended ter&. At 0irst, s3e s%id t3e

&e&or%nd'& %pp(ied to 3er, s3e 8ein) % 4%8inet se4ret%r9, 8't (%ter s3e s%id s%&e

did not %pp(9 to 3er 8e4%'se s3e 3%d no 4%s3 %d1%n4es. On(9 t3ose 2it3 4%s3

%d1%n4es 2ere re@'ired to )et %n E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 8e0ore t3e9 4o'(d re4ei1et3eir s%(%ries. S3e t3en instr'4ted 3er st%00 to 2or5 on 3er s%(%r9.

Petitioner s%id s3e did not 5no2 23ere t3e ori)in%( o0 3er E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e 2%s. Neit3er did s3e 5no2 i0 t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n t3erein 3%d

8een i&it%ted or 0or)ed. S3e (i5e2ise s%id t3%t %(t3o')3 t3e E&p(o9ee C(e%r%n4e

2%s in 3er n%&e, s3e did not 4%'se %'r%s si)n%t're to 8e %00i/ed t3ereto.

Petitioner dis4(osed t3%t s3e 2%s %8(e to )et 3er s%(%r9 0or t3e &ont3 o0

A')'st so&eti&e in s%id &ont3, 8e4%'se ARMM E/e4'ti1e Se4ret%r9R%ndo(p3 C. P%r4%sio to(d 3er t3%t s3e did not need % 4(e%r%n4e 8e0ore s3e 4o'(d

)et 3er s%(%r9 8e4%'se s3e 2%s re-%ppointed.6


10/31

e(se23ere, s3e instr'4ted 3er se4ret%r9 to )et 3er s%(%r9. !o2e1er, s3e 2%s

in0or&ed 89 3er st%00 t3%t 3er s%(%r9 4o'(d not 8e re(e%sed 8e4%'se t3e O00i4e o0 t3e

Go1ernor re@'ired % 4(e%r%n4e. !er st%00 2or5ed on 3er 4(e%r%n4e, t3e p'rpose o0

23i43 2%s 0or t3e re(e%se o0 3er s%(%r9 0or t3e &ont3s o0 A')'st %nd Septe&8er

. S3e 2%s %8(e to )et %(( t3e needed si)n%t'res e/4ept 0or %'r%ssi)n%t're. it3 t3e re0's%( o0 %'r% to si)n, 3er st%00 2ent to E/e4'ti1e Se4ret%r9

P%r4%sio %nd e/p(%ined t3e sit'%tion.

Petitioner denied re4ei1in) % te(e)r%& 0ro& Asst. Spe4i%( Prose4'tor I Ann%

Is%8e( G. A're((%no orderin) 3er to s'8&it to t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Spe4i%( Prose4'tor

t3e ori)in%( o0 t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e o0 t3e $OT-ARMM iss'ed in 3er n%&e

so&eti&e on -= A')'st .

On 4ross-e/%&in%tion, petitioner s%id t3%t prior to 3er re4eipt o0 3er s%(%r9,s3e 8e(ie1ed t3%t %n E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s ne4ess%r9, %nd 0or t3is re%son s3e

3%d t3is do4'&ent prep%red 89 3er st%00. S3e s%id 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s

%(2%9s in t3e possession o0 M%rie Cris, 3er %ssist%nt se4ret%r9. It 2%s M%rie Cris

23o s3o2ed 3er t3e do4'&ent t2i4e.6=*7

Att9. #ose I. oren%, 0or&er ARMM So(i4itor Gener%(, testi0ied t3%t 3e 2%s

0%&i(i%r 2it3 t3e Me&or%nd'& d%ted < A')'st iss'ed 89 Go1. Mis'%ri

8e4%'se t3e s%&e 2%s t3e prod'4t o0 4ons'(t%tion %&on) 3i&, Go1. Mis'%ri %nd

ARMM E/e4'ti1e Se4ret%r9 P%r4%sio. !e e/p(%ined t3%t t3is &e&or%nd'& pert%ined on(9 to o'tst%ndin) 4%s3 %d1%n4es. !e %dded t3%t %n E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e 2%s not % re@'ire&ent %nd 2%s not s'00i4ient to 4o&p(9 2it3 t3e

dire4ti1e 4ont%ined in t3e &e&or%nd'&, 8e4%'se 23%t 2%s re@'ired 0or t3e

p'rpose o0 re(e%se o0 s%(%ries 2%s % 4redit noti4e 0ro& t3e Resident A'ditors o0 t3e

Co&&ission on A'dit.

On *+ >e8r'%r9 , t3e de0ense 0or&%((9 o00ered its do4'&ent%r9

e/3i8its

6=7

4onsistin) o0 E/3i8its * to , 2it3 s'8-&%r5in)s. T3e prose4'tiono8e4ted to t3e p'rpose 0or 23i43 E/3i8it * 2%s o00ered. T3e tri%( 4o'rt %d&itted

%(( t3e de0ense e/3i8its.6==7

On A')'st , t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n rendered t3e %ss%i(ed de4ision

4on1i4tin) petitioner o0 t3e 4ri&e 43%r)ed in t3e in0or&%tion. T3e dispositi1e

portion o0 t3e de4ision re%ds:

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn31http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn32http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn33


11/31

!ERE>ORE, 'd)&ent is 3ere89 rendered 0indin) %44'sed Nor&%((%3

A. P%4%s'& GUITY 8e9ond re%son%8(e do'8t o0 t3e o00ense 43%r)ed in t3eIn0or&%tion %nd, 2it3 t3e %pp(i4%tion o0 t3e Indeter&in%te Senten4e %2 %nd

2it3o't %n9 &iti)%tin) or %))r%1%tin) 4ir4'&st%n4e, 3ere89 senten4in) 3er to

s'00er t3e indeter&in%te pen%(t9 o0 TO F YEARS, >OUR F; MONT!S %ndONE F* $AY O> prision correccional %s &ini&'& to EIG!T F


12/31

t3e pres'&ption t3%t 3e 23o 8ene0its 0ro& t3e 0%(si0i4%tion is pres'&ed to 8e t3e

%'t3or t3ereo0 does not %pp(9 to 3er. T3e (o2er 4o'rt e/p(%ined t3%t t3e

%0ore&entioned &e&or%nd'& %pp(ied to petitioner, s3e 8ein) %n o00i4i%( o0 t3e

ARMM. It s%id t3%t t3e %pp(i4%8i(it9 o0 s%id &e&or%nd'& to petitioner 2%s e1en

%d&itted 89 3er 23en s3e, in 4o&p(i%n4e t3ere2it3, instr'4ted 3er st%00?%ssist%ntse4ret%r9 to 2or5 0or 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e to en%8(e 3er to 4o((e4t 3er s%(%r9

0or t3e &ont3 o0 A')'st . It s%id t3%t t3e 0%4t t3%t s3e F%((e)ed(9 3%d no

e/istin) 4%s3 %d1%n4es did not e/e&pt 3er 0ro& t3e 4o1er%)e o0 t3e &e&or%nd'&,

8e4%'se s3e &'st s3o2 s3e 3%d no 4%s3 %d1%n4es %nd t3e on(9 2%9 to do t3is 2%s

89 o8t%inin) % 4(e%r%n4e.

Petitioner %r)'ed t3%t t3e p3oto4op9 o0 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 3%d no

pro8%ti1e 1%('e in pro1in) its 4ontents %nd 2%s in%d&issi8(e 8e4%'se t3e ori)in%(t3ereo0 2%s not presented 89 t3e prose4'tion. T3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n did not %)ree. It

s%id t3%t t3e present%tion %nd %d&ission o0 se4ond%r9 e1iden4e, (i5e % p3oto4op9 o0

3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, 2%s 'sti0ied to pro1e t3e 4ontents t3ereo0, 8e4%'se

despite re%son%8(e noti4es Fte(e)r%&s &%de 89 t3e prose4'tion to petitioner %nd

3er %ssist%nt se4ret%r9 to prod'4e t3e ori)in%( o0 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, t3e9

i)nored t3e noti4e %nd re0'sed to present t3e ori)in%( o0 s%id do4'&ent.

On * A')'st , petitioner 0i(ed % &otion 0or re4onsider%tion o0 t3e

de4ision o0 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n6=7 to 23i43 t3e prose4'tion 0i(ed %Co&&ent?Opposition.6=+7 S'8se@'ent t3ereto, petitioner 0i(ed % S'pp(e&ent to

A44'seds Motion 0or Re4onsider%tion Motion 0or Ne2 Tri%(?Re4eption o0

Ne2(9 $is4o1ered E1iden4e.6=7 Petitioner pr%9ed t3%t 3er &otion 0or ne2 tri%( 8e

)r%nted in order t3%t t3e testi&on9 o0 M%rie Cris B%t'%&p%r 8e introd'4ed, t3e

s%&e 8ein) ne2(9 dis4o1ered e1iden4e. T3e prose4'tion 0i(ed its Opposition.6=


13/31


14/31

As to t3e 0irst 4ontention, 2e %)ree 2it3 petitioner t3%t 'nder t3e %0ores%id

&e&or%nd'&, 23%t 2%s re@'ired 8e0ore s3e 4o'(d dr%2 3er s%(%ries 2%s % Credit

Noti4e 0ro& t3e COA %nd not %n E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e. T3e 0'(( te/t o0 t3e

Me&or%nd'&6;7 0or& t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor re%ds:

MEMORAN$UM >ROM T!E REGIONA GO"ERNOR

TO: A CONCERNE$

SUB#ECT: AS STATE$$ATE: AUGUST


15/31

in0or&%tion 43%r)es petitioner not 2it3 0%i('re to se4're % Credit Noti4e, 8't 2it3

%((e)ed(9 0%(si09in) 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 89 i&it%tin) t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r%

Y. P%n)i(%n, S'pp(9 O00i4er I o0 t3e $OT-ARMM. T3e Credit Noti4e re@'ire&ent

2%s t3ere0ore irre(e1%nt %nd % non-iss'e %s re)%rds t3e re(e%se o0 s%(%ries prior to *

Septe&8er .

T3e @'estions to 8e %ns2ered %re: F* %s t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n in

petitioners E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e i&it%tedJ I0 9es, F 3o i&it%ted or 4%'sed t3e

i&it%tion o0 s%id si)n%t'reJ

On t3e 0irst @'er9, t3e s%&e 2%s %ns2ered 89 %'r% P%n)i(%n. S3e s%id t3%t t3e

si)n%t're in petitioners E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s not 3ers. T3e s%&e 2%s %n

i&it%tion. 3en % person 23ose si)n%t're 2%s %00i/ed to % do4'&ent denies 3is?3er si)n%t're t3erein, % prima facie 4%se 0or 0%(si0i4%tion is est%8(is3ed 23i43 t3e

de0end%nt &'st o1er4o&e.6;


16/31

Petitioner 0%'(ts t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n 0or %pp(9in) t3e pres'&ption t3%t i0 %

person 3%d in 3is position % 0%(si0ied do4'&ent %nd 3e &%de 'se o0 it F'ttered it,

t%5in) %d1%nt%)e o0 it %nd pro0itin) t3ere89, 3e is pres'&ed to 8e t3e &%teri%(

%'t3or o0 t3e 0%(si0i4%tion.!e %r)'es t3%t t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n o1er(oo5ed t3e 0%4t

t3%t t3ere 2%s no e1iden4e to pro1e t3%t petitioner &%de 'se o0 or 'ttered t3eE&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, 8e4%'se t3ere 2%s no e1iden4e t3%t s3e s'8&itted it -- i0 not,

%t (e%st 4%'sed it to 8e s'8&itted to t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor. To

s'pport s'43 4(%i&, s3e s%id t3ere 2ere no re4eipt &%r5s in t3e E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e to s3o2 t3%t t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor re4ei1ed s%id

do4'&ents.

It is to 8e &%de 4(e%r t3%t t3e 'se o0 % 0%(si0ied do4'&ent is sep%r%te %nd

distin4t 0ro& t3e 0%(si0i4%tion o0 % p'8(i4 do4'&ent.T3e %4t o0 'sin) 0%(si0ieddo4'&ents is not ne4ess%ri(9 in4('ded in t3e 0%(si0i4%tion o0 % p'8(i4

do4'&ent. Usin) 0%(si0ied do4'&ents is p'nis3ed 'nder Arti4(e * o0 t3e Re1ised

Pen%( Code. In t3e 4%se %t 8%r, t3e 0%(si0i4%tion o0 t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s

4ons'&&%ted t3e &o&ent t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n 2%s i&it%ted. In t3e

0%(si0i4%tion o0 % p'8(i4 do4'&ent, it is i&&%teri%( 23et3er or not t3e 4ontents set

0ort3 t3erein 2ere 0%(se. What is important is the fact that the signature of another

was counterfeited.6;7 It is % sett(ed r'(e t3%t in t3e 0%(si0i4%tion o0 p'8(i4 or

o00i4i%( do4'&ents, it is not ne4ess%r9 t3%t t3ere 8e present t3e ide% o0 )%in or

t3e intent to in're % t3ird person 0or t3e re%son t3%t in t3e 0%(si0i4%tion o0 % p'8(i4do4'&ent, the principal thing punished is the violation of the public faith and the

destruction of the truth as therein solemnly proclaimed .67 T3's, t3e purpose0or

23i43 t3e 0%(si0i4%tion 2%s &%de and whether the offender profited or hoped to

profit 0ro& s'43 0%(si0i4%tion are no longer material .

T3e re4ords 0'rt3er s3o2 t3%t petitioner 'sed or 'ttered t3e E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e. T3e 0%4t t3%t t3e s%&e 2%s 4ir4'(%ted to t3e di00erent di1ision 3e%ds 0or

t3eir si)n%t'res is %(re%d9 4onsidered 'se o0 0%(si0ied do4'&ents %s 4onte&p(%ted inArti4(e *. T3e (%45 o0 t3e st%&p &%r5 Re4ei1ed in t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e

does not &e%n t3%t s%id do4'&ent 2%s not re4ei1ed 89 t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%(

Go1ernor. e 0ind t3e 4erti0i4%tion si)ned 89 Att9. R%ndo(p3 C. P%r4%sio,

E/e4'ti1e Se4ret%r9 o0 O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor - ARMM, %s 4ont%ined in

t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, to 8e s'00i4ient proo0 t3%t t3e s%&e 2%s s'8&itted to t3e

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn54http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn55http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn54http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2009/april2009/180314.htm#_ftn55


17/31

O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor. It &'st 8e stressed t3%t t3e E/e4'ti1e Se4ret%r9 is

p%rt o0 t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor.

Petitioner denies 3%1in) %4t'%((9 0%(si0ied 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 89

i&it%tin) t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n, 4(%i&in) t3%t s3e 3%d no 5no2(ed)e%8o't t3e 0%(si0i4%tion 8e4%'se it 2%s 3er %ssist%nt se4ret%r9, M%rie Cris B%t'%&p%r,

23o 2or5ed 0or 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e.

Petitioners deni%(, 'ns'8st%nti%ted %nd 'n4orro8or%ted, &'st 4ert%in(9

0%i(. $eni%(, 23en 'ns'8st%nti%ted 89 4(e%r %nd 4on1in4in) e1iden4e, is ne)%ti1e

%nd se(0-ser1in) e1iden4e, 23i43 deser1es no )re%ter e1identi%r9 1%('e t3%n t3e

testi&on9 o0 4redi8(e 2itnesses 23o testi09 on %00ir&%ti1e &%tters. 6+7 $eni%( is

intrinsi4%((9 2e%5, 8ein) % ne)%ti1e %nd se(0-ser1in) %ssertion.

67

In t3e 4%se %t 8%r, petitioner did not e1en present %s 3er 2itness M%rie Cris

B%t'%&p%r, t3e person 23o& s3e instr'4ted to 2or5 0or 3er E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e. !er 0%i('re to present t3is person in order to s3ed (i)3t on t3e &%tter

2%s 0%t%( to 3er 4%'se. In 0%4t, 2e 0ind t3%t t3e de0ense ne1er intended to present

M%rie Cris B%t'%&p%r %s % 2itness. T3is is 4(e%r 0ro& t3e pre-tri%( order, 8e4%'se

t3e de0ense ne1er (isted 3er %s % 2itness.6


18/31

t3e Co'rt ne1ert3e(ess 0inds t3e 0o((o2in) 4ir4'&st%n4es, o8t%inin) in t3e re4ords,

to est%8(is3?indi4%te t3%t s3e 2%s t3e one 23o 4o&&itted t3e 0or)er9 or 23o %s5ed

so&e8od9 e(se to 0or)e or 4%'sed t3e 0or)er9 o0 t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n in3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e, to 2it

*. t3%t t3e %44'sed instr'4ted 3er st%00 M%ri4ris B%t'%&p%r to 2or5 0or 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e in 4o&p(i%n4e 2it3 t3e Me&or%nd'& o0 ARMM Re)ion%(

Go1ernor N'r Mis'%ri %nd t3%t t3e 0or)ed si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n 2%s %00i/ed

on 3er 4(e%r%n4e %re stron) e1iden4e t3%t t3e %44'sed 3erse(0 eit3er 0%(si0ied t3es%id si)n%t're or 4%'sed t3e s%&e to 8e 0%(si0ied?i&it%ted, %nd t3%t possession 89

M%ri4ris o0 t3e 0%(si0ied 4(e%r%n4e o0 t3e %44'sed is possession 89 t3e %44'sed

3erse(0 8e4%'se t3e 0or&er 2%s on(9 %4tin) 'pon t3e instr'4tions %nd in 8e3%(0 o0

t3e (%tterD

. t3%t it 2%s t3e %44'sed 23o is re@'ired to %44o&p(is3 %nd to s'8&it 3er

E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e to en%8(e 3er to 4o((e4t 3er s%(%r9 0or t3e &ont3s o0 A')'st

%nd Septe&8er is s'00i4ient %nd stron) &oti1e or re%son 0or 3er to 4o&&itt3e 0%(si0i4%tion 89 i&it%tin) t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n or order so&eone

e(se to 0or)e itD %nd

=. t3%t t3e %44'sed 2%s t3e on(9 one 23o pro0ited or 8ene0ited 0ro& t3e

0%(si0i4%tion %s s3e %d&itted t3%t s3e 2%s %8(e to 4o((e4t 3er s%(%r9 0or t3e &ont3o0 A')'st %0ter 3er 0%(si0ied E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s s'8&itted %nd

%ppro1ed 89 t3e ORG-ARMM %nd t3ere0ore, s3e %(one 4o'(d 3%1e t3e &oti1e 0or

&%5in) s'43 0%(si0i4%tion.

On t3e 8%sis o0 t3e 0ore)oin) 4ir4'&st%n4es, no re%son%8(e %nd 0%ir-&inded &%n

2o'(d s%9 t3%t t3e %44'sed % Re)ion%( Se4ret%r9 o0 $OT-ARMM 3%d no

5no2(ed)e o0 t3e 0%(si0i4%tion. It is %n est%8(is3ed r'(e, 2e((-8'ttressed 'ponre%son, t3%t in t3e %8sen4e o0 % s%tis0%4tor9 e/p(%n%tion, 23en % person 3%s in 3is

possession or 4ontro( % 0%(si0ied do4'&ent %nd 23o &%5es 'se o0 t3e s%&e, t3e

pres'&ption or in0eren4e is 'sti0ied t3%t s'43 person is t3e 0or)er or t3e one 23o4%'sed t3e 0or)er9 %nd, t3ere0ore, )'i(t9 o0 0%(si0i4%tion. T3's, in People v.

Sendaydiego, t3e S'pre&e Co'rt 3e(d t3%t

T3e r'(e is t3%t i0 % person 3%d in 3is possession % 0%(si0ieddo4'&ent %nd 3e &%de 'se o0 it F'ttered it, t%5in) %d1%nt%)e o0 it

%nd pro0itin) t3ere89, t3e pres'&ption is t3%t 3e is t3e &%teri%(

%'t3or o0 t3e 0%(si0i4%tion. T3is is espe4i%((9 tr'e i0 t3e 'se or 'tterin) o0 t3e 0or)ed do4'&ents 2%s so 4(ose(9 4onne4ted in ti&e

2it3 t3e 0or)er9 t3%t t3e 'ser or possessor &%9 8e pro1en to 3%1e

t3e 4%p%4it9 o0 4o&&ittin) t3e 0or)er9, or to 3%1e 4(ose 4onne4tion2it3 t3e 0or)ers. FU.S. 1. C%sti((o, + P3i(. ;=D Peop(e 1. $e %r%,

; P3i(. ;DPeop(e 1. $o&in)o, ; P3i(.


19/31

In (ine 2it3 t3e %8o1e r'(in), %nd 4onsiderin) t3%t it 2%s t3e %44'sed 23o too5

%d1%nt%)e %nd pro0ited in t3e 'se o0 t3e 0%(si0ied E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e in

@'estion, t3e pres'&ption is ine1it%8(e t3%t s3e is t3e &%teri%( %'t3or o0 t3e0%(si0i4%tion. And despite 0'(( opport'nit9, s3e 2%s not %8(e to re8't s'43

pres'&ption 89 0%i(in) to s3o2 t3%t it 2%s %not3er person 23o 0or)ed or 0%(si0ied

t3e si)n%t're o0 %'r% P%n)i(%n or t3%t %t (e%st %not3er person %nd not s3e %(one,3%d t3e re%son or &oti1e to 4o&&it t3e 0or)er9 or 0%(si0i4%tion, or 2%s or 4o'(d

3%1e 8een 8ene0ited 89 s'43 0%(si0i4%tion?0or)er9.6+7

T3e 4ir4'&st%n4es en'&er%ted 89 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n, %s %)%inst t3e deni%(s

o0 petitioner, 4on1in4e 's to %pp(9 t3e r'(e t3%t in t3e %8sen4e o0 s%tis0%4tor9

e/p(%n%tion, one 23o is 0o'nd in possession o0, %nd 23o 3%s 'sed, % 0or)ed

do4'&ent, is t3e 0or)er %nd, t3ere0ore, )'i(t9 o0 0%(si0i4%tion. 6+*7 T3e e00e4t o0 %

pres'&ption 'pon t3e 8'rden o0 proo0 is to 4re%te t3e need o0 presentin) e1iden4e

to o1er4o&e t3e prima facie 4%se 4re%ted, 23i43, i0 no 4ontr%r9 proo0 is o00ered,

2i(( t3ere89 pre1%i(.6+7 A prima facie4%se o0 0%(si0i4%tion 3%1in) 8een est%8(is3ed,

petitioner s3o'(d 3%1e presented 4(e%r %nd 4on1in4in) e1iden4e to o1er4o&e s'43

8'rden. T3is, s3e 0%i(ed to do.

Petitioner %ss%i(s t3e 2ei)3t )i1en 89 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n to t3e testi&onies

o0 t3e t2o P%n)i(%ns 23en t3e9 0%i(ed to report t3e %((e)ed 0%(si0i4%tion to t3e

po(i4e or %(ert t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Re)ion%( Go1ernor o0 s%id 0%(si0i4%tion, or tried to

stop petitioner 0ro& )ettin) 3er s%(%ries.

e do not %)ree 2it3 t3e petitioner. It is % sett(ed r'(e t3%t t3e 0indin)s o0 0%4t o0

t3e tri%( 4o'rt, its 4%(i8r%tion o0 t3e testi&onies o0 t3e 2itnesses %nd its %ssess&ent

o0 t3e pro8%ti1e 2ei)3t t3ereo0, %s 2e(( %s its 4on4('sions %n43ored on s%id

0indin)s, %re %44orded 3i)3 respe4t i0 not 4on4('si1e e00e4t.6+=7 T3e deter&in%tion o0

t3e 4redi8i(it9 o0 2itnesses is t3e do&%in o0 t3e tri%( 4o'rt, %s it is in t3e 8est

position to o8ser1e t3e 2itnesses de&e%nor.6+;7 T3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n 3%s )i1en 0'((

pro8%ti1e 1%('e to t3e testi&onies o0 t3e prose4'tion 2itnesses. So 3%1e 2e. e

0ind no re%son to dep%rt 0ro& s'43 % r'(e.

A2%re t3%t t3e prose4'tion 0%i(ed to present t3e ori)in%( 0ro& 23i43 t3e p3oto4op9

o0 petitioners E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s s'pposed to 3%1e 8een o8t%ined, s3e

&%int%ins t3%t t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n s3o'(d 3%1e do'8ted t3e %'t3enti4it9 %nd

pro8%ti1e 1%('e o0 t3e p3oto4op9 o0 t3e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e.

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20/31

T3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n 4orre4t(9 %d&itted in e1iden4e t3e p3oto4op9 o0 t3e

E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e. e %)ree 23en it r'(ed:

Se4tion =, R'(e *= o0 t3e R'(es o0 Co'rt pro1ides t3%t 23en t3e s'8e4to0 in@'ir9 is t3e 4ontents o0 % do4'&ent, no e1iden4e s3%(( 8e %d&issi8(e ot3er

t3%n t3e ori)in%( do4'&ent itse(0. T3e p'rpose o0 t3e r'(e re@'irin) t3e prod'4tion

89 t3e o00eror o0 t3e 8est e1iden4e i0 t3e pre1ention o0 0r%'d, 8e4%'se i0 % p%rt9 is

in possession o0 s'43 e1iden4e %nd 2it33o(ds it %nd presents in0erior or se4ond%r9e1iden4e in its p(%4e, t3e pres'&ption is t3%t t3e (%tter e1iden4e is 2it33e(d 0ro&

t3e 4o'rt %nd t3e %d1erse p%rt9 0or % 0r%'d'(ent or de1io's p'rpose 23i43 its

prod'4tion 2o'(d e/pose %nd de0e%t. !en4e, %s (on) %s t3e ori)in%( e1iden4e 4%n 8e 3%d, t3e Co'rt s3o'(d not re4ei1e in e1iden4e t3%t 23i43 is s'8stit'tion%r9 in

n%t're, s'43 %s p3oto4opies, in t3e %8sen4e o0 %n9 4(e%r s3o2in) t3%t t3e ori)in%(

3%s 8een (ost or destro9ed or 4%nnot 8e prod'4ed in 4o'rt. S'43 p3oto4opies &'st

8e disre)%rded, 8ein) in%d&issi8(e e1iden4e %nd 8%rren o0 pro8%ti1e 2ei)3t.

T3e 0ore)oin) r'(e, 3o2e1er, %d&its o0 se1er%( e/4eptions. Under Se4tion

=F8 o0 R'(e *=, se4ond%r9 e1iden4e o0 % 2ritin) &%9 8e %d&itted when theoriginal is in the custody or under the control of the party against whom the

evidence is offered, and the latter fails to produce it after reasonable notice. And

to 2%rr%nt t3e %d&issi8i(it9 o0 se4ond%r9 e1iden4e 23en t3e ori)in%( o0 % 2ritin)is in t3e 4'stod9 or 4ontro( o0 t3e %d1erse p%rt9, Se4tion + o0 R'(e *= pro1ides %s

0o((o2s:

Sec. 6. When original document is in adverse partys

custody or control. If the document is in the custody or control of the adverse party, he must have reasonable notice to produce it. If

after such notice and after satisfactory proof of its eistence, he fails to produce the document, secondary evidence may be

presented as in the case of loss.

T3's, t3e &ere 0%4t t3%t t3e ori)in%( is in t3e 4'stod9 or 4ontro( o0 t3e

%d1erse p%rt9 %)%inst 23o& it is o00ered does not 2%rr%nt t3e %d&ission o0

se4ond%r9 e1iden4e. T3e o00eror &'st pro1e t3%t 3e 3%s done %(( in 3is po2er tose4're t3e 8est e1iden4e 89 )i1in) noti4e to t3e s%id p%rt9 to prod'4e t3e

do4'&ent 23i43 &%9 8e in t3e 0or& o0 % &otion 0or t3e prod'4tion o0 t3e ori)in%(

or &%de in open 4o'rt in t3e presen4e o0 t3e %d1erse p%rt9 or 1i% %s'8poen% duces tecum, pro1ided t3%t t3e p%rt9 in 4'stod9 o0 t3e ori)in%( 3%s

s'00i4ient ti&e to prod'4e t3e s%&e. 3en s'43 p%rt9 3%s t3e ori)in%( o0 t3e

2ritin) %nd does not 1o('nt%ri(9 o00er to prod'4e it, or re0'ses to prod'4e it,

se4ond%r9 e1iden4e &%9 8e %d&itted.

!ere, t3e %44'sed %d&itted t3%t 3er E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e 2%s %(2%9s in

t3e possession o0 3er %ssist%nt se4ret%r9, 6M%rie Cris7 B%t'%&p%r.So t3e


21/31

prose4'tion in its e00ort to prod'4e t3e ori)in%( 4op9 o0 t3e s%id E&p(o9ees

C(e%r%n4e o0 t3e %44'sed, t3r' Assist%nt Spe4i%( Prose4'tor Ann% Is%8e( G.

A're((%no o0 t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Prose4'tor, sent on M%9 =*, t3r' t3e COATe(e)r%p3 O00i4e %t Q'eHon Cit9 t2o F te(e)r%& s'8poen%s %ddressed to

%44'sed Nor&%((%3 P%4%s'&, %nd 6M%rie Cris7 B%t'%&p%r orderin) t3e& to

s'8&it to t3e O00i4e o0 t3e Spe4i%( Prose4'tor on or 8e0ore #'ne


22/31

3%nd(in) prose4'tor, Pros. Ann% Is%8e( G. A're((%no, 3%d to %ttend % -d%9

2or5s3op %t P!INMA in T%)%9t%9 Cit9 on Septe&8er *-=, %nd s43ed'(ed

%ne2 t3e 3e%rin) on No1e&8er = %nd ;, , 8ot3 %t


23/31

counsel 23o t3ere%0ter %rri1ed %nd entered 3is %ppe%r%n4e %s Att9.

N%po(eon U9 G%(it 2it3 %ddress %t S'ite M%soni4 B'i(din),

K= M%t%(ino St., $i(i&%n, Q'eHon Cit9. it3 t3e %ppe%r%n4e o0 3er ne2 4o'nse(, Att9. Conr%do C. Ros%rio is 3ere89 dis43%r)ed %s

4o'nse( de o0i4io o0 t3e %44'sed.

As pr%9ed 0or 89 t3e %44'sed, she is given the last chance to

present her evidence on ctober / and +', %''6 , 8ot3 %t or repe%ted 0%i('re o0 t3e %44'sed to%45no2(ed)e re4eipt o0 t3e noti4es o0 t3e Co'rt, 3er 2%i1er o0

%ppe%r%n4e is 3ere89 4%n4e((ed %nd s3e is ordered to person%((9

%ppe%r in t3e s43ed'(ed 3e%rin)s o0 t3is 4%se.

SO OR$ERE$.

On O4to8er +, +, the accused thru counsel, !tty. #antreas 0ucman, filed an

1ntry of !ppearance, *otion 2or Postponement of ctober / and +' 3earings st%tin) t3erein t3%t sin4e 3is ser1i4e %s ne2 4o'nse( 2%s 'st en)%)ed 89

t3e %44'sed, %nd t3%t t3e %44'sed 3erse(0 4%nnot %(so %ttend t3e s%id 3e%rin) 8e4%'se s3e is 'nder)oin) 0%stin) 'nti( O4to8er ;, + in o8ser1%n4e o0

R%&%d%n, 3e %s5ed to postpone t3e settin)s on O4to8er %nd *, +. At t3e

3e%rin) on O4to8er , +, t3e Co'rt iss'ed t3e 0o((o2in), 23i43 re%ds

A4tin) on t3e Entr9 o0 Appe%r%n4e, Motion 0or Postpone&ent o0

O4to8er %nd *, + !e%rin) 0i(ed 89 %44'sed Nor&%((%3 .

P%4%s'&, t3r' 4o'nse(, Att9. B%ntre%s '4&%n, 0indin) t3e s%&e to 8e 2it3o't &erit, %s this case has been set for hearing several

times and the accused has been given the last chance to present

evidence, the Court hereby denies the motion for postponement.

In t3is re)%rd, in 1ie2 o0 t3e absence of accused $ormallah 0.

Pacasum in todays hearing despite the rder of the Court dated July ), %''6, canceling her waiver of appearance, and

ordering her to personally appear before this Court, as prayed for

by the prosecution, let a #ench Warrant of !rrest be issued against

the said accused . T3e 4%s3 8ond posted 0or 3er pro1ision%( (i8ert9is ordered 4on0is4%ted in 0%1or o0 t3e )o1ern&ent. T3e %44'sed is

)i1en t3irt9 F= d%9s 0ro& noti4e to e/p(%in in 2ritin) 239 0in%(

'd)&ent s3%(( not 8e rendered %)%inst t3e s%id 8ond.

it3 t3e M%ni0est%tion o0 Att9. B%ntre%s '4&%n t3%t t3e defense

is not ready to present its evidence today and tomorrow, the last chance for it to present its evidence, the Court is constraint to

consider the accuseds right to present evidence as waived .


24/31

T3e p%rties %re 3ere89 )i1en t3irt9 F= d%9s to s'8&it t3eir

respe4ti1e &e&or%nd%. T3ere%0ter, t3e 4%se s3%(( 8e dee&ed

s'8&itted 0or de4ision.

SO OR$ERE$.

S'8se@'ent(9, t3e %44'sed t3r' 4o'nse(, 0i(ed % Motion 0or Re4onsider%tion o0 t3e

%8o1e Order d%ted O4to8er , +, %nd Motion to Set !e%rin) >or Motion 0or

Re4onsider%tion %nd to i0t %rr%nt o0 Arrest d%ted O4to8er =*, +.

At t3e 3e%rin) o0 %44'seds &otion 0or re4onsider%tion on No1e&8er =, +, t3e

Co'rt iss'ed t3e 0o((o2in) Order, 23i43 re%ds

3en t3e Motion To Set !e%rin) 0or Motion 0or Re4onsider%tion

%nd to i0t %rr%nt o0 Arrest 2%s 4%((ed 0or 3e%rin) t3is &ornin),

on(9 Attorne9s B%nt'%s M. '4&%n %nd #ose "ent'r% Aspir%s

%ppe%red. !ccused $ormallah 0. Pacasum was absent .

In view of the absence of the accused, the Court is not inclined to give favorable action to the *otion for "econsideration. It &'st 8e

stressed t3%t t3e pri&ordi%( re%son 0or t3e iss'%n4e o0 t3e order

so')3t to 8e re4onsidered in t3e presen4e o0 t3e %44'sed in t3e pre1io's 3e%rin) in 1io(%tion o0 t3e Co'rts Order 0or 3er to

person%((9 %ppe%r in t3e 3e%rin)s o0 t3is 4%se %nd 0or 3er

indi00eren4e to t3e dire4ti1es o0 t3e Co'rt. it3 t3e %8sen4e %ne2

o0 t3e %44'sed, t3e Co'rt 3%s no %(tern%ti1e 8't to den9 t3e Motion.

Moreo1er, t3e Co'rt notes t3e %((e)%tion in t3e Motion t3%t t3e

4o'nse( so')3t t3e %ss'r%n4e o0 t3e %44'sed F%nd s3e pro&ised to%ppe%r 8e0ore t3is Co'rt i0 t3e &otion 2i(( 8e )r%nted, %s i0 t3e

Co'rt o2es t3e %44'sed t3e 0%1or to %ppe%r 8e0ore it. T3e %44'sed

is re&inded?%d1ised t3%t t3e iss'%n4e o0 t3e 2%rr%nt o0 %rrest, s3e3%s to 1o('nt%ri(9 s'rrender %nd %ppe%r 8e0ore t3e Co'rt or 8e

%rrested %nd 8ro')3t to t3e Co'rt.

!ERE>ORE, t3e Motion 0or Re4onsider%tion is denied.

SO OR$ERE$.

A4tin) on t3e O&ni8's Motion to !o(d in A8e9%n4e Consider%tion o0

Prose4'tions Me&or%nd'& FAnd 0or % Se4ond oo5 on t3e M%tter o0 A44'seds

Ri)3t to Present $e0ense E1iden4e o0 t3e %44'sed d%ted No1e&8er *, +, %ndt3e prose4'tions Opposition t3ereto, t3e Co'rt iss'ed t3e 0o((o2in) Order, 23i43

re%ds


25/31

T3is re0ers to t3e A44'sed O&ni8's Motion to !o(d in A8e9%n4e Consider%tion o0

Prose4'tions No1e&8er , + Me&or%nd'& FAnd >or % Se4ond oo5 on t3e

M%tter o0 A44'seds Ri)3t to Present $e0ense E1iden4e d%ted No1e&8er *, +%nd t3e p(%inti00s Opposition t3ereto d%ted No1e&8er ORE, t3e &otion is )r%nted %nd t3is 4%se is set for hearing for

the accuseds last chance to present and4or complete the presentation of her

evidence on 2ebruary ( and 6, %''5 8ot3 %t


26/31

peop(e 23o 2i((, de0inite(9, 4(e%r 9o'r n%&e. Yo' s3o'(d 8e doin) t3%t

&ont3s %)o, 4orre4tJ

ITNESS

Yes, 9o'r !onors.6+


27/31

(o2er in de)ree, 23i43 is prision correccional or 0ro& si/ F+ &ont3s %nd one F*

d%9 to si/ F+ 9e%rs.

WHEREFORE, pre&ises 4onsidered, t3e de4ision o0 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n in Cri&.

C%se No. ;


28/31

C3ie0 #'sti4e

LEONARDO A. UISUMBING

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

ANTONIO T. CARPIO

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

RENATO C. CORONA

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

DANTE O. TINGA

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

PRESBITERO !. VELASCO" !R .

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

TERESITA !. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO

Asso4i%te #'sti4e


29/31

ARTURO D. BRION

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

LUCAS P. BERSAMIN

Asso4i%te #'sti4e

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

P'rs'%nt to Arti4(e "III, Se4tion *= o0 t3e Constit'tion, it is 3ere89 4erti0ied t3%t

t3e 4on4('sions in t3e %8o1e $e4ision 2ere re%43ed in 4ons'(t%tion 8e0ore t3e 4%se

2%s %ssi)ned to t3e 2riter o0 t3e opinion o0 t3e Co'rt.

REYNATO S. PUNO

C3ie0 #'sti4e

6*7 Penned 89 Asso4i%te #'sti4e Rodo(0o A. Pon0err%d% 2it3 Asso4i%te #'sti4es Gre)or9 S. On) %nd #ose R.

!ern%ndeH, 4on4'rrin)D re4ords, "o(. *, pp. -.67 Re4ords, "o(. , pp. ;*-.6=7 S3o'(d 8e E&p(o9ees C(e%r%n4e. See E/3. A-, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.6;7 Re4ords, "o(. *, p. *.67 Id. %t =-;.6+7 Id. %t ;


30/31

6*7 Spe((ed %s M%ri4ris 89 t3e S%ndi)%n8%9%n.6*o(der o0 E/3i8its.6*7 E/3. A-*, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.67 E/3. A-=, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.6*7 E/3. A-;, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.67 E/3. A-;-%, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.6=7 E/3s. A-+ %nd A-, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.6;7 E/3s. A-< %nd A-, >o(der o0 E/3i8its.67 Re4ords, "o(. *, pp. +-+.6+7 Id. %t +


31/31

ori)in%( 4onsists o0 n'&ero's %44o'nts or ot3er do4'&ents 23i43 4%nnot 8e e/%&ined in 4o'rt 2it3o't

)re%t (oss o0 ti&e %nd t3e 0%4t so')3t to 8e est%8(is3ed 0ro& t3e& is on(9 t3e )ener%( res'(t o0 t3e 23o(eD

%nd Fd 3en t3e ori)in%( is % p'8(i4 re4ord in t3e 4'stod9 o0 % p'8(i4 o00i4er or is re4orded in % p'8(i4

o00i4e.6+7 "ollo, pp. =-=+.6+e8r'%r9 , pp. *-.6+7 2ullero v. People, s'pr% note += %t **;.
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