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Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2017 > June 2017 Decisions > G.R. No. 224143, June 28, 2017 - KEVIN BELMONTE Y GOROMEO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.:




G.R. No. 224143, June 28, 2017 - KEVIN BELMONTE Y GOROMEO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 224143, June 28, 2017

KEVIN BELMONTE Y GOROMEO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

D E C I S I O N

PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:

Before the Court is a petition for review on certiorari1 filed by petitioner Kevin Belmonte y Goromeo (Belmonte) assailing the Decision2 dated June 30, 2015 and the Resolution3 dated March 14, 2016 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 05362, which affirmed the Decision4 dated November 23, 2011 of the Regional Trial Court of San Fernando City, La Union, Branch 30 (RTC) in: (1) Crim. Case No. 8979, finding Belmonte, Mark Anthony Gumba y Villaraza (Gumba), and Billy Joe Costales (Costales) guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. (RA) 916,5 otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002;" and (2) Crim. Case No. 8997, finding Gumba guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 11, Article II, thereof.

The Facts

The instant case stemmed from two (2) separate Informations6 filed before the RTC accusing: (1) Belmonte, Gumba,7 and Costales of violating Section 5,8 Article II of RA 9165; and (2) Gumba of violating Section 11,9 Article II of RA 9165, viz.:

Criminal Case No. 8979

That on or about the 23rd day of November 2010, in the Municipality of San Gabriel, Province of La Union, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court the above-named accused, without first securing the necessary permit, license or prescription from the proper government agency, conspiring, confederating, and mutually helping one another, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully, feloniously and knowingly sell, dispense and/or deliver one (1) bundle of dried marijuana fruiting tops[,] a dangerous drug, weighing EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY[-]EIGHT POINT NINETY SIX (828.96) gram[s] to 103 SHARON O. BAUTISTA, who posed as a buyer thereof using marked money consisting of four (4) pieces of five hundred pesos (P 500.00) BILLS, BEARING Serial Nos. KN 368332, EV933163, HH157963 and HL685267, respectively.

CONTRARY TO LAW.10

Criminal Case No. 8997

That on or about the 23rd day of November 2010, in the Municipality of San Gabriel, Province of La Union, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court the above-named accused, 17 years old minor (child in conflict with the law and who acted with discernment), without first securing the necessary permit, license, or prescription from the proper government agency, did then and there wilfully, unlawfully, feloniously have in his possession, control and custody four (4) bricks of marijuana dried leaves and fruiting tops with an individual weight of EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY[-]NINE POINT SIXTEEN (869.16) grams, EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY[-]EIGHT POINT THIRTY[-]THREE (828.33) grams, EIGHT HUNDRED TWELVE POINT FORTY (812.40) grams and EIGHT HUNDRED NINE POINT FIFTY[-]FOUR (809.54) grams with a total weight of THREE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETEEN POINT FORTY[�]THREE (3,319.43) grams.

CONTRARY TO LAW. 11

The prosecution alleged that at around 9 o'clock in the morning of November 23, 2010, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Agent Sharon Ominga (Ominga)12 received information from a confidential informant (agent) that a certain "Mac-Mac," later identified as Gumba,13 was selling marijuana.14 Ominga immediately coordinated with the PDEA Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group (PAIDSOTG) and a buy-bust team composed of Ominga, Intelligence Officer 1 Ranel Ca�ero (Ca�ero), and members of the PDEA-QRF and PNP-PAIDSOTG was formed.15 Ominga was designated as the poseur-buyer, Ca�ero as arresting officer, and the rest as back-up officers.16 Ominga then instructed the agent to contact Gumba and place an order for P2,000.00 worth of marijuana. Thereafter, Ominga prepared four (4) P500.00 bills as buy-bust money, marked them with her initials, and proceeded with the rest of the buy-bust team to the public cemetery of San Gabriel, La Union, the designated place for the transaction.17

Upon the buy-bust team's arrival at the target area, Ominga, Ca�ero, and the agent walked towards the cemetery while the back-up officers waited in the vehicle.18 As Gumba was taking long to arrive, Ominga's group decided to return to their vehicle. But as they were walking, Gumba and two (2) male companions came into view.19 When the three (3) men reached Ominga's group, one of Gumba's companions, who turned out to be Belmonte,20 asked if they were the buyers.21 The agent confirmed this, after which Gumba asked for the money from Ca�ero.22 Ca�ero pointed to Ominga, who motioned to hand the marked money to Gumba but Gumba's other companion, later identified as Costales,23 took it.24 Gumba then took a bundle of suspected dried marijuana leaves from the black bag he was carrying and handed it to Ominga.25 Believing that it was marijuana, Ominga declared that they were PDEA agents.26 Ominga and Ca�ero were able to arrest Gumba and Belmonte but Costales escaped with the marked money.27

Ominga's group waited for the local police and barangay officials to arrive before opening the black bag which, in the meantime, lay on the ground in front of Belmonte and Gumba.28 When police officers Manzano, Campit, and Barangay Captain29 Carlos D. Caoeng arrived, Ominga opened the black bag which yielded four (4) more bricks of dried marijuana wrapped in masking tape.30 Ominga then took a knife and slashed a small portion of each brick to see the contents. Satisfied that it was marijuana, she placed her initials "SOB," signature, and the date of confiscation on the outside of each bundle, including the bundle earlier sold to them.31 Ominga's group then prepared an inventory, photographed the activity, and asked the PNP and barangay officials to sign the inventory.32

Thereafter, Ominga's group returned to the PDEA office in San Fernando, La Union where Ominga prepared the request for laboratory examination33 dated November 23, 2010, among other necessary documents.34 Ominga then delivered the seized items to the PDEA for crime laboratory examination.35 In her report, PDEA Regional Officer 1 Chemist Lei-Yen Valdez (Valdez), the chemist who conducted the quantitative and qualitative examination on the seized drugs, confirmed that the seized bricks and bundle contained marijuana.36

For their defense, Belmonte, Gumba, and Costales (who subsequently surrendered voluntarily) all denied the charges against them and claimed that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Belmonte averred that in the morning of November 23, 2010, he and his wife walked to the town proper of San Gabriel, La Union from their barangay in Mamleng-Bucao, San Gabriel, La Union as he intended to proceed to Bauang, La Union to get a duck from his aunt.37 Upon reaching Barangay Bumbuneg, San Gabriel, La Union, he stopped at Gumba's house to borrow fifty pesos (P50.00) from Gumba.38 Gumba lent him the money but requested Belmonte to accompany him to the cemetery to visit his grandfather's tomb.39 Belmonte agreed and they rode Costales'40 tricycle but the two had to alight at Lipay Road because there was palay laid out on the road leading to the cemetery.41 As Belmonte and Gumba walked up the road going to the cemetery, they were apprehended by two (2) men later on identified as Ca�ero and Atty. Allan Ancheta (Atty. Ancheta) of the PDEA-QRF.42

Gumba corroborated Belmonte's testimony and admitted knowing Belmonte from high school and Costales from elementary.43 At around 10 o�clock in the morning of November 23, 2010, Gumba was allegedly home in Bumbuneg, San Gabriel, La Union when Belmonte came to borrow money (P50.00) which the latter intended to use for his fare going to his aunt in Bauang, La Union.44 Gumba gave Belmonte the money and requested the latter to accompany him to the cemetery so he could visit his grandfather's tomb.45 They rode Costales' tricycle to the cemetery and as they continued walking towards the cemetery, two (2) men approached them - one carrying a black bag and wearing a hat, and another who wore short pants and a black shirt.46 Gumba was allegedly held by the man in short pants, later on identified as Atty. Ancheta, while Belmonte was held by the one with the black bag, later on identified as Ca�ero.47 Gumba struggled to free himself but was trapped by another man - a tall man with big body build who he later discovered to be police officer Jose Bautista.48 Bautista allegedly hit Gumba in the head with a small gun and asked "why do you still try to escape?"49

Meanwhile, Costales advanced the defense of alibi. He claimed that on November 23, 2010, while on his way back to the parking area for tricycles in San Gabriel, La Union, he was flagged down by Belmonte and Gumba who were his batchmates from elementary.50 Belmonte and Gumba asked to be brought to the cemetery but they had to alight at Lipay Road because the tricycle could not pass through the road.51 After dropping them off, he returned to the tricycle station near the Municipal Hall and market where he joined other tricycle drivers.52 While sitting in a nearby canteen, he learned that two (2) minors were arrested at the cemetery and saw a police patrol car pass by with Belmonte and Gumba on board.53 Seeing that they were brought to the police station nearby, Costales and the other tricycle drivers proceeded to the police station where they stayed for approximately fifteen (15) minutes before returning to the tricycle station.54 On January 22, 2011, while vacationing in Baguio City, his uncle informed him that there is a warrant for his arrest.55 He returned to San Gabriel, La Union on January 24 and surrendered voluntarily to police officer Campit who was his neighbor.56

Upon arraignment, Belmonte, Gumba, and Costales all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.57 After the preliminary conference in both cases, the RTC ordered that joint trial be conducted.58

The RTC Ruling

In a Decision59 dated November 23, 2011, the RTC found Belmonte, Gumba, and Costales guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 5, Article II, of RA 9165 in Crim. Case Nos. 8979, for illegal sale of marijuana, and sentenced Belmonte and Costales to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay the fine of P500,000.00 each. Meanwhile, Gumba, who was 17 years old at the time the crime was committed, was sentenced to suffer the penalty of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years of reclusion temporal, and to pay the fine of P300,000.00. A similar sentence was imposed on Gumba in Crim. Case No. 8997 for violating Section 11, Article II, of RA 9165.

The RTC held that all the elements for the prosecution of sale of dangerous drugs, namely: the identity of the buyer and the seller, the object, and consideration, and the delivery of the thing sold, and the payment therefor, were all established.60 It noted that the witnesses for the prosecution were able to prove that the buy-bust operation took place and the marijuana subject of the sale was brought and duly presented in court, with the poseur-buyer, Ominga, positively identifying Belmonte, Gumba, and Costales as the sellers of the dangerous drug.61 The RTC further noted the categorical, consistent, and straightforward narration of the prosecution's witnesses of the circumstances leading to the consummation of the sale and the arrest of all the accused which, according to the RTC, was more credible than the defenses of alibi and frame-up which can be concocted easily.62 Conspiracy among the accused was also evident as Belmonte even asked if Ominga and her team were the buyers, while Gumba handed them the bundle of marijuana leaves and Costales took the marked money.63 These, according to the RTC, showed their common interest and purpose.

Aggrieved, Belmonte, Gumba, and Costales elevated their conviction to the CA,64 arguing that the chain of custody of the seized items was not established because the markings and inventory were done in San Gabriel, La Union, while the signing of the Certificate of Inventory65 by the representatives from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the media took place in Carlatan, San Fernando City, La Union.

The CA Ruling

In a Decision66 dated June 30, 2015, the CA affirmed the RTC ruling,67 finding that the prosecution successfully established the continuous chain of custody of the confiscated marijuana which preserved the identity, integrity, and evidentiary value of the illicit items.68

The CA held that the subsequent signing of the Certificate of Inventory undertaken after the arrest of the accused at a different place is not fatal to the case since the prosecution was able to show the continuous whereabouts of the exhibits between the time it came into their possession and until it was tested in the PDEA laboratory.69 Citing the rule that the crime can still be proven notwithstanding the failure to strictly follow the procedure laid out in Section 21 of RA 9165, the CA ruled that the prosecution was able to satisfactorily show the whereabouts of the exhibits, from the time they came into the possession of the police officer and were tested in the laboratory, up to the time they were offered in evidence.70 It further held that the accused failed to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that they were somewhere else when the buy-bust operation was conducted and that it was physically impossible for them to be present at the scene of the crime before, during, or after it was committed.71

Undaunted, Belmonte moved for reconsideration72 which was, however, denied by the CA in a Resolution73 dated March 14, 2016; hence the instant petition.

The Issue Before the Court

The issue for the Court's resolution is whether or not Belmonte's conviction for illegal sale of dangerous drugs, defined and penalized under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165, should be upheld.

The Court's Ruling

The appeal has no merit.

In order to secure the conviction of an accused charged with illegal sale of dangerous drugs, the prosecution must prove the: (a) identity of the buyer and the seller, the object, and the consideration; and (b) delivery of the thing sold and the payment.74

In this relation, it is essential that the identity of the prohibited drug be established beyond reasonable doubt. In order to obviate any unnecessary doubts on the identity of the dangerous drugs, the prosecution has to show an unbroken chain of custody over the same. It must be able to account for each link in the chain of custody over the dangerous drug from the moment of seizure up to its presentation in court as evidence of the corpus delicti.75

Section 21, Article II of RA 9165 provides the chain of custody rule, outlining the procedure police officers must follow in handling the seized drugs, in order to preserve their integrity and evidentiary value.76 Under the said section, the apprehending team shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation conduct a physical inventory and photograph the seized items in the presence of the accused or the person from whom the items were seized, his representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice, and any elected public official who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy of the same, and the seized drugs must be turned over to the PNP Crime Laboratory within twenty-four (24) hours from confiscation for examination.77

It is important to note that while the "chain of custody rule" demands utmost compliance from the aforesaid officers, Section 21 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9165,78 as well as jurisprudence nevertheless provides that non-compliance with the requirements of this rule will not automatically render the seizure and custody of the items void and invalid, so long as: (a) there is a justifiable ground for such non-compliance; and (b) the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved. In other words, any divergence from the prescribed procedure must be justified and should not affect the integrity and evidentiary value of the confiscated items.

After a thorough review of the records of this case, the Court is convinced that the integrity and evidentiary value of the marijuana confiscated from the accused were preserved, and any deviation from the chain of custody procedure was adequately justified.

Records bear that the bricks and bundle of marijuana confiscated from the accused were immediately marked, photographed, and inventoried upon the arrest of Belmonte and Gumba, and that the markings were done by Ominga herself who placed her initials, signature, and the date of confiscation thereat in the presence of Belmonte, Gumba, the back-up officers from the PDEA and the PNP, and the Barangay Captain of Poblacion, San Gabriel.79After the inventory and photography at the arrest site, Ominga and her team returned to the PDEA office where Ominga personally prepared the crime laboratory examination request which she delivered to the PDEA chemist, Valdez, together with the bricks and bundle of marijuana confiscated from the accused.80

Ominga's testimony on this point was corroborated by Valdez who testified that at around 5 o'clock in the afternoon of November 23, 2010, Ominga delivered four (4) bricks of suspected marijuana leaves and a bundle of marijuana fruiting tops for examination. 81 Valdez also gave a clear account of the procedure for testing the specimen submitted to her such as, weighing and marking them, taking representative samples therefrom, and performing the screening and confirmatory tests thereon.82 Ominga and Ca�ero also identified in open court the bricks and bundle of marijuana confiscated from the accused,83 which matched Valdez's testimony.84

By and large, the foregoing sufficiently established the existence of a continuous chain of custody which preserved the identity, integrity, and evidentiary value of the items confiscated from the accused, notwithstanding the absence of the representatives from the media and the DOJ at the time of the arrest and the taking of inventory. Notably, the absence of media representatives at the time Ominga prepared the inventory was sufficiently explained by her during her cross-examination when she testified that when contacted, the media representatives told them that they were still far from the area and would not be able to arrive on time.85 As regards the absence of the DOJ representative, Eulogio Gapasin, the DOJ clerk who signed the inventory, explained that it has been the practice in their office for him to go to the PDEA office to sign the inventories instead of going to the site of the crime.86 While this is not ideal and the Court by no means condones it, the Court is also cognizant of the fact that this is not the fault of the apprehending officers. Verily, under varied field conditions, the strict compliance with the requirements of Section 21, Article II of RA 9165 may not always be possible.87 What is of utmost importance is the preservation of the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items, as the same would be utilized in the determination of the guilt or innocence of the accused.88 In People v. Rebotazo,89 the Court held that so long as this requirement is met, as in this case, non-compliance with Section 21, Article II of RA 9165 will not render the arrest of the accused illegal or the items seized or confiscated inadmissible.90

The Court also observes that while the inventory was not signed by the accused and that they did not have copies of it, such omission was sufficiently explained by the prosecution witnesses who testified that Belmonte and Gumba were given copies thereof but they refused to sign it.91 The accused also had no relatives or lawyers at the time the arrest and confiscation were effected. As such, their copy of the inventory was given to Barangay Captain Caoeng as their representative.92

Furthermore, the Court also agrees with the finding that there was conspiracy among the accused. As aptly observed by the RTC and affirmed by the CA, conspiracy among them is evident as Belmonte even asked if Ominga and her team were the buyers. Indeed, there is no other explanation for Belmonte's question aside from the fact that he knew why they were there, i.e., for the sale of the marijuana.

As a final point, it should be mentioned that findings of the trial court which are factual in nature and involve the credibility of witnesses, are accorded respect when no glaring errors, gross misapprehension of facts or speculative, arbitrary and unsupported conclusions are made from such findings.93 This rule finds even more stringent application where the findings are sustained by the CA,94 as in this case. After all, as the trier of facts, the RTC has the opportunity to observe the witnesses' demeanor and manner of testifying and, as such, is a better judge of their credibility.95

All told, there is no reason to disturb the findings of the RTC, as affirmed by the CA, that Belmonte is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal sale of marijuana, as defined and penalized under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165.

WHEREFORE, the petition is DENIED. The Decision dated June 30, 2015 and the Resolution dated March 14, 2016 of the Court of Appeals affirming the conviction of Kevin Belmonte y Goromeo for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, as amended, and the penalty of life imprisonment and payment of a fine of P500,000.00 imposed upon him are hereby AFFIRMED.

SO ORDERED.

Sereno, C.J., (Chairperson), Leonardo-De Castro, Del Castillo, and Caguioa, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


1Rollo, pp. 13-46.

2 Id. at 48-63. Penned by Associate Justice Zenaida T. Galapate-Laguilles with Associate Justices Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo and Florito S. Macalino, concurring.

3 Id. at 65-66.

4 CA rollo, pp. 168-190. Penned by Judge Alpino P. Florendo.

5 Entitled "AN ACT INSTITUTING THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972, As AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," approved on June 7, 2002.

6 Records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 40; Records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 1.

7 Seventeen (17) years old at the time of the commission of the crime. See Amended Information dated January 3, 2011, records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 40.

8 The pertinent portions of Section 5, Article II provides:

SECTION 5. Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals. - The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall sell, trade, administer, dispense, deliver, give away to another, distribute, dispatch in transit or transport any dangerous drug, including any and all species of opium poppy regardless of the quantity and purity involved, or shall act as a broker in any such transactions.

xxxx

For drug pushers who use minors or mentally incapacitated individuals as runners, couriers and messengers, or in any other capacity directly connected to the dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and essential chemicals trade, the maximum penalty shall be imposed in every case.

xxxx

9 The pertinent portions of Section 11, Article II provides:

SECTION 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs. -The penalty of life imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law, shall possess any dangerous drug in the following quantities, regardless of the degree of purity thereof:

(1) 10 grams or more of opium;

xxxx

(7) 500 grams or more of marijuana;

xxxx

10 Records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 40.

11 Records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 1.

12 "Sharon Ominga Bautista" or "Sharon Bautista" in some parts of the records.

13 See Transcript of Stenographic Notes (TSN), May 13, 2011, p.17.

14Rollo, pp. 49-50. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 5.

15 Id. at 50. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 5.

16 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 6.

17 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 7-8.

18 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 8-9.

19 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 9.

20 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 17.

21 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 10.

22 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 10-11.

23 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 17-18.

24 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 18.

25 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 18.

26 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 12.

27 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 12.

28 Id. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 12.

29 Barangay Captain of Poblacion, San Gabriel, La Union. See Records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 80.

30Rollo, p. 50. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 12-13.

31 Id. at 50-51. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 13-14.

32 Id. at 51. See also TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 18-21.

33 Records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 13.

34 See TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 23-24.

35 Id. at 24-25.

36 Id. at 26. See Chemistry Report No. PDEAROI-DD010-0008 dated November 23, 2010; records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 14.

37Rollo, p. 53. See also TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 3-4.

38 Id. See also TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 3-4.

39 Id. See also TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 3-4.

40 Referred to as "Buddha" in some parts of the records. See TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 4-5.

41Rollo, p. 53. See also TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 5-6.

42 Id. at 53. See also TSN, July 13, 2011, pp. 5-6.

43Rollo, p. 52. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, pp. 3-4.

44 Id. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, pp. 4-5.

45 Id. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, p. 5.

46 Id. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, p. 6.

47 Id. at 52-53. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, p. 6.

48 Id. at 52. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, p. 4.

49 Id. See also TSN, July 6, 2011, p. 7.

50Rollo, pp. 53. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, p. 5.

51 Id. at 53-54. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, p. 6.

52 Id. at 54. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, pp. 6-7.

53 Id. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, pp. 7-8.

54 Id. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, pp. 8-11.

55 Id. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, p. 11.

56 Id. See also TSN, July 20, 2011, pp. 11-12.

57 Records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 57; records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 39.

58 Records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 54.

59 CA rollo, pp. 168-190.

60 Id. at 177.

61 Id.

62 Id. at 181-183.

63 Id. at 185.

64 See Order dated January 4, 2012; records (Crim. Case No. 8997), p. 227.

65 Dated November 23, 2010; records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 16.

66Rollo, pp. 48 63.

67 Id. at 63.

68 Id. at 61.

69 Id. at 60.

70 Id. at 59-61.

71 Id. at 61-62.

72 CA rollo, pp. 437-454.

73Rollo, pp. 65-66. Penned by Associate Justice Zenaida T. Galapate-Laguilles with Associate Justices Mariflor P. Punzalan Castillo and Florito S. Macalino concurring.

74People v. Sumili, G.R. No. 212160, February 4, 2015,750 SCRA 143, 149; citation omitted.

75People v. Viterbo, 739 Phil. 593, 601 (2014); citation omitted.

76People v. Sumili, supra note 74, at 150-151.

77 See Section 21 (1) and (2), Article II of RA 9165.

78 Entitled "IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS (IRR) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002'," approved on August 30, 2002.

79 TSN, May 13, 2011, pp. 11-21; TSN, May 4, 2011, pp. 7, 8, and 10. See also Exhibits "D, "I", "J", and "L", Records, (Crim. Case No. 8979), pp. 16, 18, and 19.

80 Id. at 24-25.

81 TSN, April 8, 2011, pp. 9-10.

82 Id. at 11-18. See also Exhibit "B," Records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 13.

83 TSN, May 13, 2011, p. 15.

84 TSN, April 8, 2011, p. 19. See Prosecution's Documentary Exhibits, records (Crim. Case No. 8979), p. 16.

85 TSN, May 25, 2011, pp. 14-15.

86 TSN, May 27, 2011, p. 14.

87People v. Pavia, G.R. No. 202687, January 14, 2015, 746 SCRA 216, 230, citing People v. Llanita, 696 Phil. 167, 187 (2012).

88 Id. at 229.

89 711 Phil. 150 (2013).

90 Id. at 173.

91 TSN, May 4, 2011, p. 17; TSN, May 25, 2011, pp. 16-17.

92 TSN, May 25, 2011, p. 16.

93 People v. Almodiel, 694 Phil. 449, 460 (2012), at 463-464, citing People v. Gaspar, 669 Phil. 122, 134 (2011).

94 Id. at 464.

95People v. Bautista, 665 Phil. 815, 826 (2011).




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June-2017 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. 204906, June 05, 2017 - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH) SECRETARY SIMEON A. DATUMANONG; DPWH UNDERSECRETARY MANUEL M. BONOAN; DPWH CENTRAL OFFICE DIRECTOR IV CLARTTA A. BANDONILLO; DPWH REGION VI REGIONAL DIRECTOR WILFREDO AGUSTINO; DPWH ILOILO CITY DISTRICT ENGINEER VICENTE M. TINGSON, JR.; AND ENGINEERS RUBY P. LAGOC, MAVI V. JERECIA AND ELIZABETH GARDOSE, Petitioners, v. MARIA ELENA L. MALAGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209132, June 05, 2017 - HEIRS OF TERESITA VILLANUEVA, SUBSTITUTED BY HER LEGAL HEIRS, NAMELY: ELSA ANA VILLANUEVA, LEONILA VILLANUEVA, TERESITA VILLANUEVA-SIPIN, FERDINAND VILLANUEVA, AND MARISSA VILLANUEVA-MADRIAGA, Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF PETRONILA SYQUIA MENDOZA, REPRESENTED BY MILAGROS PACIS, AND THE CO-HEIRS OF PETRONILA SYQUIA-MENDOZA, NAMELY, TOMAS S. QUIRINO, REPRESENTED BY SOCORRO QUIRINO, VICTORIA Q. DEGADO, CESAR SYQUIA, JUAN J. SYQUIA, REPRESENTED BY CARLOTA (NENITA) C. SYQUIA, AND HECTOR SYQUIA, JR., ACTING THROUGH THEIR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT CARLOS C. SYQUIA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 216063, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARLON SORIANO Y NARAG, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 216938, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. HENRY BENTAYO, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 215627, June 05, 2017 - LUIS S. DOBLE, JR., Petitioner, v. ABB, INC./NITIN DESAI, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218114, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SALVADOR AYCARDO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 220168, June 07, 2017 - MARLOW NAVIGATION PHILIPPINES, INC./MARLOW NAVIGATION CO., LTD. AND/OR MS. EILEEN MORALES, Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF RICARDO S. GANAL, GEMMA B. BORAGAY, FOR HER BEHALF AND IN BEHALF OF HER MINOR CHILDREN NAMED: RIGEM GANAL & IVAN CHARLES GANAL; AND CHARLES F. GANAL, REPRESENTED BY SPOUSES PROCOPIO & VICTORIA GANAL, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-16-2450 (Formerly A.M. No. 14-4324-RTJ), June 07, 2017 - PO1 MYRA S. MARCELO, Complainant, v. JUDGE IGNACIO C. BARCILLANO, BRANCH 13, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT (RTC), LIGAO CITY, ALBAY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210266, June 07, 2017 - ANTHONY DE SILVA CRUZ, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 204262, June 07, 2017 - MARIO C. MADRIDEJOS, Petitioner, v. NYK-FIL SHIP MANAGEMENT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206008, June 07, 2017 - DELFIN DOMINGO DADIS, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES MAGTANGGOL DE GUZMAN AND NORA Q. DE GUZMAN, AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF TALAVERA, NUEVA ECIJA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205428, June 07, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. SPOUSES SENANDO F. SALVADOR AND JOSEFIMA R. SALVADOR, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 223244, June 20, 2017 - RHODELIA L. SAMBO AND LORYL J. AVILA, Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, REPRESENTED BY MA. GRACIA M. PULIDO TAN, CHAIRPERSON, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 11480 (Formerly CBD Case No. 05-1558), June 20, 2017 - ARLENE VILLAFLORES�-PUZA, Complainant, v. ATTY. ROLANDO B. ARELLANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 211166, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PORFERIO CULAS Y RAGA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-17-3676 (formerly OCA IPI No. 12-3985-P), June 05, 2017 - ELEANOR OLYMPIA-GERONILLA AND EMMA OLYMPIA GUTIERREZ, REPRESENTED BY ATTY. BEATRIZ O. GERONILLA-VILLEGAS, Complainant, v. RICARDO V. MONTEMAYOR, JR., SHERIFF IV AND ATTY. LUNINGNING CENTRON, CLERK OF COURT VI AND EX- OFFICIO SHERIFF, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220211, June 05, 2017 - EDRON CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION AND EDMER Y. LIM, Petitioners, v. THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF SURIGAO DEL SUR, REPRESENTED BY GOVERNOR VICENTE T. PIMENTEL, JR., Respondents.

  • G. R. No. 217730, June 05, 2017 - PHILIPPINE AIRLINES, INC., Petitioner, v. ARJAN T. HASSARAM, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 215061, June 06, 2017 - AMANDO M. TETANGCO, JR., PETER B. FAVILA, JUANITA D. AMATONG, NELLY A. FAVIS� VILLAFUERTE, ALFREDO C. ANTONIO, IGNACIO R. BUNYE, MARIE MICHELLE N. ONG, BELLA M. PRUDENCIO, ESMEGARDO S. REYES, MA. CORAZON G. CATARROJA, Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-06-2279 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 06-2452-P), June 06, 2017 - MAURA JUDAYA AND ANA AREVALO, Complainants, v. RAMIRO F. BALBONA, UTILITY WORKER I, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF CEBU CITY, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11533, June 06, 2017 - SPOUSES EDWIN AND GRETA CHUA, Complainants, v. SACP TERESA BELINDA G. TAN-SOLLANO, DCP MARIA GENE Z. JULIANDA-SARMIENTO, SDCP EUFROSINO A. SULLA, SACP SUWERTE L. OFRECIO-GONZALES, AND DCP JOSELITO D.R. OBEJAS, ALL OF THE OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR OF MANILA, RELATIVE TO I.S. NO. XV-07-INV-15J-05513, Respondents.

  • A.M. No.16-12-03-CA, June 06, 2017 - RE: LETTER OF LUCENA OFENDOREYES ALLEGING ILLICIT ACTIVITIES OF A CERTAIN ATTY. CAJAYON INVOLVING CASES IN THE COURT OF APPEALS, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY; IPI No. 17-248-CA-J, June 6, 2017 - RE: LETTER-COMPLAINT OF SYLVIA ADANTE CHARGING HON. JANE AURORA C. LANTION, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE, COURT OF APPEALS, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, AND ATTY. DOROTHY CAJAYON WITH SYSTEMATIC PRACTICES OF CORRUPTION.

  • G.R. No. 209859, June 05, 2017 - EILEEN P. DAVID, Petitioner, v. GLENDA S. MARQUEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190043, June 21, 2017 - SANTOS-YLLANA REALTY CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES RICARDO DEANG AND FLORENTINA DEANG, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 175772[*], June 05, 2017 - MITSUBISHI CORPORATION-MANILA BRANCH, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184464, June 21, 2017 - CINDY SHIELA COBARDE-GAMALLO, Petitioner, v. JOSE ROMEO C. ESCANDOR, Respondent.; G.R. NO. 184469 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. JOSE ROMEO C. ESCANDOR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 226792, June 06, 2017 - SOFRONIO B. ALBANIA, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND EDGARDO A. TALLADO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 189100, June 21, 2017 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. LETICIA BARBARA B. GUTIERREZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 182297, June 21, 2017 - GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioner, v. FE L. ESTEVES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195876, June 19, 2017 - PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221717, June 19, 2017 - MANG INASAL PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioner, v. IFP MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10911, June 06, 2017 - VIRGILIO J. MAPALAD, SR., Complainant, v. ATTY. ANSELMO S. ECHANEZ, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-16-3614 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4630-P], June 20, 2017 - ANONYMOUS, Complainant, v. GLENN L. NAMOL, COURT INTERPRETER, ERLA JOIE L. ROCO, LEGAL RESEARCHER AND EDSELBERT ANTHONY A. GARABATO, PROCESS SERVER, ALL OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT , BRANCH 63, BAYAWAN CITY, NEGROS ORIENTAL, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 211093, June 06, 2017 - MINDANAO SHOPPING DESTINATION CORPORATION, ACE HARDWARE PHILS., INC., INTERNATIONAL TOYWORLD, INC., STAR APPLIANCE CENTER, INC., SURPLUS MARKETING CORPORATION, WATSONS PERSONAL CARE STORES (PHILS.), INC., AND SUPERVALUE, INC., Petitioners, v. HON. RODRIGO R. DUTERTE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS MAYOR OF DAVAO CITY, HON. SARA DUTERTE, VICE-MAYOR OF DAVAO CITY, IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD, AND THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD (CITY COUNCIL) NG DAVAO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 210693, June 07, 2017 - EMERALD GARMENT MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. THE H.D. LEE COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 223844, June 28, 2017 - DANILO CALIVO CARIAGA, Petitioner, v. EMMANUEL D. SAPIGAO AND GINALYN C. ACOSTA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 224022, June 28, 2017 - TEODORICO A. ZARAGOZA, Petitioner, v. ILOILO SANTOS TRUCKERS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224143, June 28, 2017 - KEVIN BELMONTE Y GOROMEO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-17-3709 (Formerly OCA IPI No.13-4058-P), June 19, 2017 - JUDGE CELSO O. BAGUIO, Complainant, v. JOCELYN P. LACUNA, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 34, GAPAN CITY, NUEVA ECIJA, Respondent.

  • OCA IPI No. 11-3800-RTJ, June 19, 2017 - OSCAR C. RIZALADO, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE GIL G. BOLLOZOS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BR. 21, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Respondent.; OCA IPI No. 12-3867-RTJ, June 19, 2017 - RE: LETTER-COMPLAINT DATED JUNE 27, 2011 OF OSCAR C. RIZALADO AGAINST JUDGE GIL BOLLOZOS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 21, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, RELATIVE TO G.R. NO. 188427 (CYNTHIA G. ESPANO, ET AL. v. DR. OTHELLO C. GUZMAN, ET AL.); OCA IPI No. 12-3897-RTJ, June 19, 2017 - OTHELLO C. GUZMAN, RICARDO GUZMAN, MARIO C. GUZMAN, SR., AND ROSARIO GUZMAN RIZALADO, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE GIL G. BOLLOZOS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 21, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Respondent.; OCA IPI No. 13-4070-RTJ, June 19, 2017 - OSCAR C. RIZALADO, Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE GIL G. BOLLOZOS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 21, CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11600, June 19, 2017 - ROMULO DE MESA FESTIN, Complainant, v. ATTY. ROLANDO V. ZUBIRI, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218942, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROLANDO BISORA Y LAGONOY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 216937, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. TITO AMOC Y MAMBATALAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-16-1870 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 16-2833-MTJ], June 06, 2017 - RE: ANONYMOUS LETTER COMPLAINT, Complainant, v. JUDGE DIVINA T. SAMSON, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, MABINI-PANTUKAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, AND UTILITY WORKER FRANCISCO M. ROQUE, JR., MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, MABINI-PANTUKAN, COMPOSTELA VALLEY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 223334, June 07, 2017 - DANILO BARTOLATA, REPRESENTED BY HIS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT REBECCA R. PILOT AND/OR DIONISIO P. PILOT, Petitioner, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS, AND TOLL REGULATORY BOARD, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225743, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SANDY DOMINGO Y LABIS, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 219070, June 21, 2017 - CONRADO R. ESPIRITU, JR., TERESITA ESPXRITU-GUTIERREZ, MARIETTA R. ESPIRITU-CRUZ, OSCAR R. ESPIRITU, AND ALFREDO R. ESPIRITU, Petitioners, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198583, June 28, 2017 - ARLYN ALMARIO-TEMPLONUEVO, Petitioner, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, THE HONORABLE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CHITO M. OYARDO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218970, June 28, 2017 - RICHARD ESCALANTE, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194137, June 21, 2017 - AMBASSADOR HOTEL, INC., Petitioner, v. SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-16-3604 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 14-4245-P], June 28, 2017 - HEIRS OF DAMASO OCHEA, REPRESENTED BY MIGUEL KILANTANG, Complainant, v. ATTY. ANDREA P. MARATAS, BRANCH CLERK OF COURT, BRANCH 53, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, LAPU-LAPU CITY, CEBU, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222538, June 21, 2017 - EDUARDO N. RIGUER, Petitioner, v. ATTY. EDRALIN S. MATEO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228435, June 21, 2017 - KT CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY, INC., REPRESENTED BY WILLIAM GO, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200370, June 07, 2017 - MARIO VERIDIANO Y SAPI, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198544, June 19, 2017 - SEAPOWER SHIPPING ENT., INC., Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF WARREN M. SABANAL, REPRESENTED BY ELVIRA ONG-SABANAL, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192391, June 19, 2017 - ESTATE OF HONORIO POBLADOR, JR., REPRESENTED BY RAFAEL A. POBLADOR, Petitioner, v. ROSARIO L. MANZANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218242, June 21, 2017 - PAULINO M. ALDABA, Petitioner, v. CAREER PHILIPPINES SHIP-MANAGEMENT, INC., COLUMBIA SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD., AND/OR VERLOU CARMELINO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220718, June 21, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NICOLAS TUBILLO Y ABELLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 210654, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PABLO LUAD ARMODIA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 208243, June 05, 2017 - EDWIN GRANADA REYES, Petitioner, v. THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, THE SANDIGANBAYAN, AND PAUL JOCSON ARCHES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 200512, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ELMER AVANCENA Y CABANELA, JAIME POPIOCO Y CAMBAYA1 AND NOLASCO TAYTAY Y CRUZ, Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. P-16-3616 [Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 15-4457-P], June 21, 2017 - ATTY. PROSENCIO D. JASO, Complainant, v. GLORIA L. LONDRES, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 258, PARA�AQUE CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198066, June 07, 2017 - YOLANDO T. BRAVO, Petitioner, v. URIOS COLLEGE (NOW FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY) AND/OR FR. JOHN CHRISTIAN U. YOUNG, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 194152, June 05, 2017 - MAKILITO B. MAHINAY, Petitioner, v. DURA TIRE & RUBBER INDUSTRIES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212201, June 28, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RODOLFO DENIEGA Y ESPINOSA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 219848, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GODOFREDO MACARAIG Y GONZALES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 213088, June 28, 2017 - LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD (LTFRB), Petitioner, v. G.V. FLORIDA TRANSPORT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214500, June 28, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v, MICHELLE DELA CRUZ, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 226846, June 21, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JEFFREY MACARANAS Y FERNANDEZ, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 224300, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSE CUTARA Y BRIX, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 176703, June 28, 2017 - MUNICIPALITY OF CAINTA, Petitioner, v. CITY OF PASIG AND UNIWIDE SALES WAREHOUSE CLUB, INC., Respondents.; G.R. No. 176721 - UNIWIDE SALES WAREHOUSE CLUB, INC., Petitioner, v. CITY OF PASIG AND MUNICIPALITY OF CAINTA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220143, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JONATHAN BAAY Y FALCO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 203114, June 28, 2017 - VIRGILIO LABANDRIA AWAS, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 211108, June 07, 2017 - ALEJANDRO D.C. ROQUE, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214301, June 07, 2017 - RAMON MANUEL T. JAVINES, Petitioner, v. XLIBRIS A.K.A. AUTHOR SOLUTIONS, INC., JOSEPH STEINBACH, AND STELLA MARS OUANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205283, June 07, 2017 - ABIGAIL L. MENDIOLA, Petitioner, v. VENERANDO P. SANGALANG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212934, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BLAS GAA Y RODRIGUEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 224532, June 21, 2017 - CONSTANCIO CADERAO BALATERO, Petitioner, v. SENATOR CREWING (MANILA) INC., AQUANAUT SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD., ROSE AARON AND CARLOS BONOAN, MV MSC FLAMINIA, Respondents.; G.R. No. 224565, June 21, 2017 - SENATOR CREWING (MANILA) INC., AQUANAUT SHIPMANAGEMENT LTD., ROSE AARON AND CARLOS BONOAN, Petitioners, v. CONSTANCIO C. BALATERO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225623, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LORENZO RAYTOS Y ESPINO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 207001, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RICHARD F. TRIPOLI AND ROMULO B. IMPAS, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 191174, June 07, 2017 - PARADIGM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES ISLANDS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217459, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALBERTO FORTUNA ALBERCA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 220758, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. STEPHAN CABILES Y SUAREZ A.K.A. "KANO", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 177000, June 19, 2017 - NESTOR GUELOS, RODRIGO GUELOS, GIL CARANDANG AND SPO2 ALFREDO CARANDANG Y PRESCILLA, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221096, June 28, 2017 - CLAUDIA'S KITCHEN, INC. AND ENZO SQUILLANTINI, Petitioners, v. MA. REALIZA S. TANGUIN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206702, June 07, 2017 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION, Petitioner, v. ROLANDO C. CEBUAN, RUBEN C. CEBUAN, ERIC C. CEBUAN, SAMUEL C. BARING, BEATRICE A. LOW, LEONORE L. DE LA SERNA AND HEIRS OF LORENZO UMBAAD, Respondents

  • G.R. No. 227005, June 19, 2017 - BDO UNIBANK, INC., Petitioner, v. ENGR. SELWYN LAO, DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE "SELWYN F. LAO CONSTRUCTION" AND "WING AN CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION" AND INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK (NOW UNION BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227306, June 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROBERTO ESPERANZA JESALVA ALIAS "ROBERT SANTOS," Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 224144, June 28, 2017 - LOLITA BAS CAPABLANCA, Petitioner, v. HEIRS OF PEDRO BAS, REPRESENTED BY JOSEFINA BAS ESPINOSA AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OF THE PROVINCE OF CEBU, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 216987, June 05, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WILFREDO PACAYRA Y MABUTOL, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 222685, June 21, 2017 - LORETA SAMBALILO, SALVADOR SAMBALILO, ZOILO SAMBALILO, JR. AND RENANTE SAMBALILO, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES PABLO LLARENAS AND FE LLARENAS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221085, June 19, 2017 - RAVENGAR G. IBON, Petitioner, v. GENGHIS KHAN SECURITY SERVICES AND/OR MARIETTA VALLESPIN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202091, June 07, 2017 - SUMIFRU (PHILIPPINES) CORP. (SURVIVING ENTITY OF A MERGER WITH FRESH BANANA AGRICULTURAL CORPORATION AND OTHER CORPORATIONS), Petitioner, v. NAGKAHIUSANG MAMUMUO SA SUYAPA FARM1 (NAMASUFA-NAFLU-KMU), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198485, June 05, 2017 - MARUBENI PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 220977, June 19, 2017 - PO1 CELSO TABOBO III Y EBID, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 196650, June 07, 2017 - SPECTRUM SECURITY SERVICES, INC., Petitioner, v. DAVID GRAVE, ARIEL V. AROA, TOMASINO R. DE CHAVEZ, JR., LUCITO P. SAMARITA, SAIDOMAR M. MAROHOM, LITO V. MAHILOM AND OLIVER N. MARTIN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 159139, June 06, 2017 - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, MA. CORAZON M. AKOL, MIGUEL UY, EDUARDO H. LOPEZ, AUGUSTO C. LAGMAN, REX C. DRILON, MIGUEL HILADO, LEY SALCEDO, AND MANUEL ALCUAZ, JR., Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, COMELEC CHAIRMAN BENJAMIN ABALOS, SR., COMELEC BIDDING AND AWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN EDUARDO D. MEJOS AND MEMBERS GIDEON DE GUZMAN, JOSE F. BALBUENA, LAMBERTO P. LLAMAS, AND BARTOLOME SINOCRUZ, JR., Respondents.; G.R. NO. 174777 - AQUILINO Q. PIMENTEL, JR., SERGIO R. OSME�A III, PANFILO M. LACSON, ALFREDO S. LIM, JAMBY A.S. MADRIGAL, LUISA P. EJERCITO-ESTRADA, JINGGOY E. ESTRADA, RODOLFO G. BIAZON, AND RICHARD J. GORDON, Petitioners, v. MA. MERCEDITAS NAVARRO-GUTIERREZ, IN HER CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 215195, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSE DESCARTIN, JR. Y MERCADER, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 220022, June 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WILTON ALACDIS Y ANATIL A.K.A. "WELTON", DOMINGO LINGBANAN (AT-LARGE), AND PEPITO ANATIL ALACDIS (AT-LARGE), Accused.; WILTON ALACDIS Y ANATIL A.K.A. "WELTON", Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-15-3335 [Formerly A.M. No. 15-04-98-RTC], June 28, 2017 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. ATTY. JEROME B. BANTIYAN, CLERK OF COURT VI AND ERLINDA G. CAMILO, FORMER OIC/COURT INTERPRETER, BOTH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 34, BANAUE, IFUGAO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 219615, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RAFAEL AGUDO Y DEL VALLE, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 219590, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARCIAL M. PARDILLO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 224099, June 21, 2017 - ROMMEL M. ZAMBRANO, ROMEO O. CALIPAY, JESUS L. CHIN, LYNDON B. APOSAGA, BONIFACIO A. CASTA�EDA, ROSEMARIE P. FALCUNIT, ROMEO A. FINALLA, LUISITO G. GELLIDO, JOSE ALLI L. MABUHAY, VICENTE A. MORALES, RAUL L. REANZARES, DIODITO I. TACUD, ERNAN D. TERCERO, LARRY V. MUTIA, ROMEO A. GURON, DIOSDADO S. AZUSANO, BENEDICTO D. GIDAYAWAN, LOWIS M. LANDRITO, NARCISO R. ASI, TEODULO BORAC, SANTOS J. CRUZADO, JR., ROLANDO DELA CRUZ, RAYMUNDO, MILA Y. ABLAY, ERMITY F. GABUCAY, PABLITO M. LACANARIA, MELCHOR PE�AFLOR, ARSENIO B. PICART III, ROMEO M. SISON, JOSE VELASCO JR., ERWIN M. VICTORIA, PRISCO J. ABILO, WILFREDO D. ARANDIA, ALEXANDER Y. HILADO, JAIME M. CORALES, GERALDINE C. MAUHAY, MAURO P. MARQUEZ, JONATHAN T. BARQUIN, RICARDO M. CALDERON JR., RENATOR. RAMIREZ, VIVIAN P. VIRTUDES, DOMINGO P. COSTANTINO JR., RENATO A. MANAIG, RAFAEL D. CARILLO, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE CARPET MANUFACTURING CORPORATION/PACIFIC CARPET MANUFACTURING CORPORATION, DAVID E. T. LIM, AND EVELYN LIM FORBES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209518, June 19, 2017 - MA. HAZELINA A. TUJAN-MILITANTE, Petitioner, v. ANA KARI CARMENCITA NUSTAD, AS REPRESENTED BY ATTY. MARGUERITE THERESE L. LUCILA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208359, June 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DEMETRIO SABIDA Y SADIWA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 206114, June 19, 2017 - DOLORES ALEJO, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES ERNESTO CORTEZ AND PRISCILLA SAN PEDRO, SPOUSES JORGE LEONARDO AND JACINTA LEONARDO AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF BULACAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192723, June 05, 2017 - LEOVIGILDO A. DE CASTRO, Petitioner, v. FIELD INVESTIGATION OFFICE, OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 207516, June 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. AMBROSIO OHAYAS, ROBERTO OWAS, FLORENCIO RAPANA, CERELO BALURO, EDDIE YAGUNO, RUPO YAGUNO AND JERRY YAGUNO, ACCUSED. AMBROSIO OHAYAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 8371, June 28, 2017 - SPOUSES GERARDO MONTECILLO AND DOMINGA SALONOY, Complainant, v. ATTY. EDUARDO Z. GATCHALIAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 208450, June 05, 2017 - SPS. ROBERTO ABOITIZ AND MARIA CRISTINA CABARRUS, Petitioners, v. SPS. PETER L. PO AND VICTORIA L. PO, Respondents.; G.R. No. 208497 - SPS. PETER L. PO AND VICTORIA L. PO, Petitioners, v. SPS. ROBERTO ABOITIZ AND MARIA CRISTINA CABARRUS, JOSE MARIA MORAZA, AND ERNESTO ABOITIZ AND ISABEL ABOITIZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218572, June 19, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BILLIE GHER TUBALLAS Y FAUSTINO, Accused-Appellant,

  • G.R. No. 202922, June 19, 2017 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. SEMIRARA MINING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198795, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERCEDITAS MATHEUS Y DELOS REYES, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 195003, June 07, 2017 - CITY OF BATANGAS, REPRESENTED BY HON. SEVERINA VILMA ABAYA, IN HER CAPACITY AS CITY MAYOR OF BATANGAS, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND SHELL PHILIPPINES EXPLORATION B.V., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 198162, June 21, 2017 - CORAZON M. LACAP, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN [FOURTH DIVISION] AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202086, June 21, 2017 - NORMAN PANALIGAN, IRENEO VILLAJIN, AND GABRIEL PENILLA, Petitioners, v. PHYVITA ENTERPRISES CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 189102, June 07, 2017 - CHIQUITA BRANDS, INC. AND CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioners, v. HON. GEORGE E. OMELIO, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, DAVAO CITY, BRANCH 14, SHERIFF ROBERTO C. ESGUERRA, CECILIO G. ABENION, AND 1,842 OTHER PLAINTIFFS IN CIVIL CASE NO. 95-45, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208001, June 19, 2017 - P/C SUPT. EDWIN A. PFLEIDER, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225634, June 07, 2017 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLAN JAO Y CALONIA AND ROGELIO CATIGTIG Y COBIO, Accused-Appellants.