Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2013 > November 2013 Decisions > G.R. No. 176269, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. KENNETH MONCEDA Y SY ALIAS “WILLIAM SY” AND YU YUK LAI ALIAS “SZE YUK LAI,”Appellants.:




G.R. No. 176269, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. KENNETH MONCEDA Y SY ALIAS “WILLIAM SY” AND YU YUK LAI ALIAS “SZE YUK LAI,”Appellants.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. 176269, November 13, 2013

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. KENNETH MONCEDA Y SY ALIAS “WILLIAM SY” AND YU YUK LAI ALIAS “SZE YUK LAI,”Appellants.

D E C I S I O N

BRION, J.:

We resolve the recourse to this Court by appellants Kenneth Monceda y Sy and Yu Yuk Lai in this dangerous drugs case.  They assail their conviction before the Court of Appeals (CA)1 and the Regional Trial Court (RTC)2 of the charges of violating Section 15, Article III of Republic Act 6425,3 as amended by Republic Act No. 7659.4chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

The Antecedent Facts

The Information brought against the appellants and under which they were indicted, and subsequently convicted, reads:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

That on or about November 7, 1998, in the City of Manila, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, conspiring, confederating and mutually helping one another, with deliberate intent and without authority of law, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously sell and deliver to a poseur-buyer three (3) kilograms, more or less, of methylamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), which is a regulated drug.5

The appellants were duly arraigned and they entered a plea of “not guilty” on April 14, 1999.6  Trial on the merits thereafter took place.

The Prosecution’s Version

The record of the case shows that on November 6, 1998, a female informant told P/Inspector Ramon Arsenal of the Special Operations Divisions, Narcotics Group, Philippine National Police (PNP) that a “contact” was looking for a buyer of huge quantities of methamphetamine hydrochloride (“shabu”). The informant also disclosed that the “contact” preferred to be paid in casino chips, not in cold cash.7

Based on this information, P/Inspector Arsenal immediately formed a team to conduct a buy-bust operation. The team was composed of Police Officer 3 (PO3) Geronimo Pastrana, who was designated as the poseur-buyer, P/Inspector Arsenal, and Senior Police Officer 3 (SPO3) Elpidio Anasta. The deal, as the subsequent agreement showed, was for P2,000,000.00 worth of shabu. The transaction was to be consummated at Hotel Sofitel’s parking lot between 3:00 and 11:00 p.m. the next day.8

Police Chief Superintendent (P/C Supt.) Emmanuel Licup, the Finance Officer of the PNP Narcotics Group, secured the casino chips to be used – P2,000,000.00 worth, consisting of four (4) casino chips (each worth P500,000.00) – from Casino Filipino at the Holiday Inn, Manila Pavilion Hotel.9

On November 7, 1998, the female informant confirmed the transaction and the buy-bust team proceeded to Hotel Sofitel at around 1:30 p.m. PO3 Pastrana and the female informant were in a red Honda Civic hatchback with plate number TKT-461. They parked near the lobby of Hotel Sofitel. P/Inspector Arsenal and SPO3 Anasta rode on a separate vehicle and they parked about fifteen (15) meters behind PO3 Pastrana’s vehicle. Twenty (20) other operatives of the team strategically positioned themselves throughout the area.10

At around 5:30 p.m., a blue Mitsubishi Lancer (plate number WEJ-310) arrived and parked in front of PO3 Pastrana’s vehicle. After a few moments, a man – later identified as Monceda – alighted and approached the female informant. The latter introduced PO3 Pastrana as the buyer of shabu. Monceda first returned to his car, whispered something to his lady companion, before coming back to PO3 Pastrana’s vehicle. Monceda insisted that he needed to see the casino chips, which PO3 Pastrana then showed him.11

Monceda circled back to the car to pick up his lady companion, later identified as Lai. She was carrying a carton box. Monceda introduced Lai to PO3 Pastrana, at the same time that Lai was giving the carton box to Monceda who forthwith handed the package to PO3 Pastrana while saying: “Pare, iyan na yung order mong bato, 3 kilo yan.12

PO3 Pastrana inspected the carton box, which he saw contained three (3) plastic bags. After confirming that the plastic bags contained shabu, he placed them at the rear seat of the red Honda Civic hatchback. He then handed the four casino chips to Monceda who immediately gave them to Lai.  PO3 Pastrana, at that point, gave the pre-arranged signal to the buy-bust team, prompting them to converge on the transacting parties. When PO3 Pastrana identified himself as an agent of the PNP Narcotics Group, Monceda tried to run away but PO3 Pastrana caught him. P/Inspector Arsenal and SPO3 Anasta, on the other hand, apprehended Lai and, while doing this, took the chips away from her.13

The appellants were initially brought to Diamond Hotel where the high-ranking officers of the Narcotics Group had stationed themselves. PO3 Pastrana surrendered the keys of the red Honda Civic hatchback vehicle, together with the three plastic bags of shabu, to senior officer Colonel (Col.) Arturo Castillo. The bags and their contents were later forwarded to the PNP Crime Laboratory for chemical analysis. The appellants were brought to the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and were subjected to physical examination there.14

The prosecution and the defense agreed that the testimony of Forensic Analyst Edwin Zata was to be dispensed with. They further stipulated that:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

  1. The specimen of shabu, subject matter of this case, with a total weight of 2,992.4 grams was subjected to laboratory analysis at the PNP Crime Laboratory, Camp Crame, Quezon City;

  2. The laboratory analysis was conducted by Edwin Zata in compliance with the memorandum of P/Supt. Arthur Maceda Castillo for the Director of the PNP Crime Laboratory to conduct laboratory examination of the specimen of shabu, Exhs. “F” and “F-1”;

  3. The authenticity of the Initial Laboratory Report of Forensic Analyst Zata, dated November 9, 1998 to the effect that the laboratory examination of the specimen in question gave positive results for methamphetamine hydrochloride, a regulated drug, Exhs. “G” and “G-1”;

  4. The authenticity of Physical Sciences Report No. D-3649-98 also issued by Forensic Chemist Zata dated November 9, 1998, to the effect that the qualitative examination of the specimen gave positive results for methamphetamine hydrochloride, Exhs. “H” and “H-1”;

  5. The existence of the three plastic bags of shabu, subject of this case, Exhs. “I”, “J” and “K”;

  6. Forensic Chemist Zata has no personal knowledge as to the source of shabu in question;

  7. The specimen of shabu was forwarded to the Crime Laboratory Service and received by the said office at 10:55 a.m. but the specimen was actually received by the Chemistry Division at 11:00 a.m.; and

  8. Forensic Chemist Zata only conducted random of the specimen of shabu. No percentage purity test was conducted.15

The Version of the Defense

The defense presented a different version of events. The appellants denied selling the shabu and claimed that they were victims of a frame-up. Lai, together with five other witnesses, took the witness stand for the defense, but Monceda declined.

Lai asserted that Monceda was her nephew and that she has been engaged in various businesses: as a rice retailer, an importer, and a casino financier. She also claimed to be a member of a Taiwanese association engaged in lending money to casino players and that she arrived from China the night before her arrest. She cited this as the reason why she could not have possibly arranged the drug transaction.16

Lai further testified that on November 7, 1998, she was at Hotel Sofitel. She had with her the income of the association amounting to P2,000,000.00 and US$30,000.00 in cash. She was about to convert the money to chip checks when she received a call from Monceda who told her that the police were arresting him at Diamond Hotel. She immediately tried to leave but Jimmy Uy, a regular borrower, stopped her to borrow money. She hurriedly gave him P100,000.00 and told Uy that she would be back after settling Monceda’s problem.  Lai’s son and driver were then waiting at the Hotel Sofitel’s lobby and all three left on board her car, a blue Mitsubishi Lancer, for Diamond Hotel.17

Lai narrated that on reaching Diamond Hotel, about twenty to thirty policemen ordered them to alight from their vehicle. They quickly searched her vehicle for shabu but found the paper bag containing the money instead. Afterwards, they ordered her to board her car, but her son and her driver were told to stay. Four policemen boarded her car with her, seating her at the middle portion of the back seat.  They drove around Metro Manila for several hours.18

While inside the car, she claimed that she was robbed. Her Rolex wristwatch, her other pieces of jewelry and the paper bag containing the money she brought with her were all taken.  At around 11:00 p.m., after hours of driving around Metro Manila, they finally told her to get out of the vehicle. She refused as it was dangerous to alight at that place, and asked instead to be dropped-off at the nearest police station; she also pleaded for the return of her properties.19

Instead of taking her to the police station, they brought her to Camp Crame where a plastic bag was placed over her head and where she was repeatedly beaten while being asked where she had hidden the shabu. She could not give them any answer because she did not know what they were talking about. When the plastic bag was removed, she was told to accompany them to her house in Parañaque City. Her tormentors thought that the shabu was in her cabinet. She consented as she had no choice but to give in to their demands.20

Policemen were at her house when they arrived.  She also noticed that her housemaids had been badly beaten. She was forced to open her cabinets but only her other pieces of jewelry were there, not shabu. These were also taken from her before she was brought back to Camp Crame.  It was only at that time that she saw Monceda again and she noted that he had also been badly beaten.21

On cross-examination, Lai admitted that she knew Monceda to be a drug user. She explained that Monceda, for a small consideration of P5,000.00, was hired by a certain “Mama Rosa” to deliver a package somewhere in Malate. He used the red Honda Civic hatchback vehicle, which Lai believed to belong to “Mama Rosa” and not to PO3 Pastrana.  Monceda was not informed of the contents of the package which turned out to be the 3 plastic bags of shabu that were recovered from the vehicle. She insisted that the drugs were not recovered from her blue Mitsubishi Lancer vehicle.22

Lai’s statements were corroborated by Uy, who admitted that he indeed borrowed P100,000.00 from her while she was talking to someone at the phone.23 Lai’s housemaid and the other defense witnesses also testified about the incident at Diamond Hotel and at her house.24chanroblesvirtualawlibrary

The RTC Ruling

On September 20, 2001, the RTC convicted the appellants as charged. The RTC relied on the presumption of regularity in the buy-bust operation and rejected the appellants defenses of denial and frame-up. The RTC declared that the appellants were caught in flagrante delicto while selling shabu to a poseur-buyer in a buy-bust operation. The seizure of shabu was considered lawful since it was incident to a lawful arrest. The RTC sentenced them to suffer the penalty of reclusion perpetua and to pay a fine of P5,000,000.00 each.25

The appellants appealed to the CA. During the pendency of the appeal, Monceda committed suicide.

The CA Ruling

The CA affirmed the RTC decision.  The CA found that the collective testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were corroborated by the physical evidence on record. The CA also found Lai’s defense to be weak, especially after she failed to present her son and her driver as witnesses.  Her defense was further weakened when no single complaint was ever filed against the members of the buy-bust team for the abuses they allegedly committed.

The Issues

Lai raised the following assignment of errors:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

I.

THE CA ERRED IN GIVING CREDENCE TO THE INCREDIBLE TESTIMONY OF THE PROSECUTION WITNESSES WHILE TOTALLY DISREGARDING THE EVIDENCE ADDUCED BY THE DEFENSE.

II.

THE CA ERRED IN RULING THAT THE NON-PRESENTATION OF THE CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT DID NOT VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

III.

THE CA ERRED IN HOLDING THAT THERE WAS PROPER HANDLING AND TRANSFER OF THE CUSTODY OF THE CONFISCATED DRUGS.

Lai argues that the lower courts erred in evaluating the testimonial evidence by relying mainly on the presumption of regularity: they failed to give due weight  to the possible motive that impelled the police officers to perpetuate the frame-up. Lai also faults the lower courts for disregarding the defense’s evidence which pointed out the inconsistencies in the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses. She emphasizes that her testimony was sufficiently corroborated by the testimony of the other defense witnesses.

Lai also contends that her constitutional right was violated because the confidential informant was not presented as witness. Lastly, she argues that the identification of the shabu was not sufficiently proven since the seized items were not marked at the time she was apprehended and were improperly handled.

The Court’s Ruling

We deny the petition for lack of merit.

In a charge of illegal sale of shabu, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt: (a) the identity of the buyer and the seller, (b) the identity of the object and the consideration of the sale; and (c) the delivery of the thing sold and of the payment made.26 What assumes primary importance is the proof clearly showing that an illegal transaction actually took place, and the presentation in court of what was sold as evidence of the corpus delicti.27

Prosecutions involving illegal drugs depend largely on the credibility of the police officers who conducted the buy-bust operations. We generally defer to the trial court’s assessment of the evidence as it had the opportunity to directly observe the witnesses, their demeanor, and their credibility on the witness stand.28

In this case, we find from the records sufficient evidence of the illegal sale with the accused as the sellers and see no compelling need to re-evaluate the trial court’s assessments.

The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, namely: PO3 Pastrana, P/Inspector Arsenal, SPO3 Anasta, P/C Supt. Licup, and Col. Castillo were positive and straightforward. While there existed some inconsistencies in their individual testimonies compared with one another, these testimonies – considered in their totality – leave no doubt in our minds that an illegal sale of shabu had actually taken place with the accused as the sellers.

We observe that Lai particularly challenges the testimony of P/Inspector Arsenal for its integrity and believability. At his cross-examination, P/Inspector Arsenal testified that it was Monceda who carried the box containing the shabu and who handed the box to Lai, while Monceda was at the same time introducing Lai to PO3 Pastrana. Lai then handed the box to PO3 Pastrana who placed it in the red Honda Civic hatchback.29 But at the re-direct and re-cross examination, P/Inspector Arsenal was emphatic that it was Lai herself who carried the box and gave it to Monceda, who in turn handed it to PO3 Pastrana.30

We are not persuaded that this inconsistency is sufficient to taint the prosecution’s case to the point that it should fail. The rule is that inconsistencies in the testimony of witnesses, when referring only to minor details and collateral matters, do not affect either the substance of their declaration, their veracity, or the weight of their testimony. Such minor inconsistencies even enhance their veracity as the variances erase any suspicion of a rehearsed testimony.31  Besides, P/Inspector Arsenal was on a separate vehicle, at a some distance from the actual buy-bust transaction. It is possible that he might have been mixed up and confused on who was carrying the box containing shabu. But this uncertainty is a minor matter in the context of what had been sufficiently proven as a whole.  What is material to consider is that the transacting parties were there, together with the red box that contained the shabu; the order by which the box was handled is not all that important and material given that it passed from the appellants and ultimately to PO3 Pastrana. In other words, the illegal transaction had indeed taken place. Significantly, PO3 Pastrana, the poseur-buyer and the one who directly received the drugs, was unwavering in his testimony that it was Lai who was carrying the box:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Q:
After you were introduced by your confidential agent, what transpired next?
A:
He went back to his car and he whispered something to his lady companion and then came back to me. He insisted that he be shown the casino chips. And after I showed them to him, he went back to his car.
Q:
After he return[ed] to his car, what happened next?
A:
A woman alighted from the car and the two of them approached me. The lady was carrying a carton and she was introduced to me by William Sy mentioning her name as Yu Yuk Lai. After the introduction, Yu Yuk Lai handed the carton she was carrying to William Sy who in turn handed it to me saying “Pare, iyan na iyong order mong bato, 3 kilo iyan.”
Q:
When that carton box was handed to you by William Sy, what did you do?
A:
I examined the contents of the carton to ascertain if it is shabu. Then I placed the carton inside our car and I got the 4 casino chips and gave them to William Sy. After that, I executed the pre-arranged signal and I introduced myself as Narcom Agent. At this point, William Sy tried to escape but I got hold of him. (interrupted).
x x x
Q:
During the last hearing, you identified the carton box containing 3 plastic bags containing shabu, could you tell us what is the relation of that box that you mentioned and the shabu inside it to that you identified during the last hearing?
A:
Those were the items handed to me by William Sy during the buy-bust operation.32

In People v. Zheng Bai Hui,33 we held that like the defense of alibi, frame-up is an allegation that can easily be concocted. For this claim to prosper, the defense must adduce clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of regularity of official acts of government officials.

Lai, unfortunately for her, failed to corroborate her statements regarding the alleged arrest which occurred at Diamond Hotel. Her presented witnesses all testified on the events before or after her arrest. Lai’s lone testimony regarding the circumstances of arrest at Diamond Hotel, on the other hand, failed to overcome the positive and credible testimony showing the existence of the buy-bust operation at Sofitel Hotel. Worse, the two persons, her son and her driver, who accompanied her during the alleged arrest at Diamond Hotel, and who could have possibly shed light to her version of the events – both refused to testify. We find this development perplexing and is a matter which greatly weakened Lai’s frame-up allegations.

No prior surveillance and non-
presentation of the informant 


Lai next argues that the absence of any prior surveillance casts doubt on the veracity of the buy-bust operation. This argument, in our view, suffers from obvious lack of merit.

We have held that prior surveillance is not necessary to render a buy-bust operation legitimate, especially when the buy-bust team is accompanied at the target area by the informant.34 Similarly, the presentation of an informant as a witness is not regarded as indispensable to the success in prosecuting drug-related cases.35 It is only when the testimony of the informant is considered absolutely essential in obtaining the conviction of the culprit should the need to protect his identity be disregarded.36 In this case, the informant had actively participated in the buy-bust operation and her testimony, if presented, would merely  corroborate the testimonies of the members of the buy-bust team.

Neither can Lai question the authenticity of the casino chips. The testimonies of P/C Supt. Licup and the treasury head of Casino Filipino clearly explained how P/C Supt. Licup procured the chips the day before the buy-bust operation.37 These casino chips were photocopied, marked, and properly presented in court during the trial.38ChanRoblesVirtualawlibrary

The chain of custody

The existence of the drug is the corpus delicti of the crime of illegal possession of dangerous drugs and is an essential element to secure a conviction.  It is on this point that all doubts on the identity of the evidence should be removed through the monitoring and tracking of the movement of the seized drugs from the accused, to the police, to the forensic chemist, and finally to the court.39

Lai’s argument relies heavily on a photograph40 taken by the buy-bust operatives, which shows that the carton box was actually wrapped in a red and white plastic bag. Lai quoted the testimony of PO3 Pastrana:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Q:
Before you placed the carton box inside your Hunchback Honda Civic, did you wrap it?
x x x
A:
No, sir.
Q:
Are you aware that pictures were taken of the stuff that was placed in the rear seat of your Honda Civic Hunchback?
A:
I do not know about that, sir.
Court:
You show him the picture if there is a picture.
Atty. Mejia:
Yes, Your Honor.
Q:
I am showing to you a picture which purports to have been taken on November 7, 1998, are you familiar with the items and personalities depicted in that picture?
A:
Yes, I am familiar, sir.41
x x x
Q:
Now, are you aware, Mr. Witness that the red plastic box which Major Suan and Col. Ruiz are shown in this picture as in the process of urbaning allegedly contained the cartoon box which you placed at the rear seat of your car?
A:
What was handed to me was a cartoon box and it was not contained in a plastic bag as shown in the picture.
COURT:
Are you sure about that?
A:
Itong pinapakita sa akin, sigurado ako dahil hindi ko nakita ‘yan.
COURT:
So, it’s only now that you saw this plastic bag colored red and white which is supposed to contain the [carton], this is the first time you saw this plastic bag?
A:
[It’s] only now, sir.42

Lai, however, fails to consider that at the time the photographs were taken at Diamond Hotel, PO3 Pastrana was no longer around to witness the events. He had already turned over the seized items to Col. Castillo at Diamond Hotel before he left; thus, he cannot possibly testify on the condition of the seized items when the photographs were taken.43 During the cross-examination of PO3 Pastrana, he said:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Q:
Are you telling the Honorable Court, that immediately after the confidential agent parked the car at the parking area in front of the Diamond Hotel, she left the premises?
A:
Yes, sir.
x x x
Q:
Who turned over the key, you or the confidential informant?
A:
I was the one, sir.
Q:
But you did not remove the [carton] box at the rear seat of the Honda Hunchback?
A:
No more, sir.
Q:
And you were no longer around when pictures were taken of the stuff that you allegedly confiscated?
A:
I was not anymore present, sir.44

After the incidents at Diamond Hotel, the seized goods were taken to Camp Crame where PO3 Pastrana identified the carton box and the three plastic bags containing shabu, before marking his initials over them.45 These were then turned over to the project officer for submission to laboratory examination. The testimony of Col. Castillo is substantial if only to prove that there was proper handling and transfer of the seized goods after the specimens were surrendered to him:chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

Q:
And you were the one [who] personally brought the [carton] box containing plastic bags?
A:
Yes, sir, because it was under my direct custody already, sir.
Q:
At your office, what did you do [to] them in connection with this case?
A:
I waited for the operating elements and when Major Suan arrived, I called for him and turned over these evidences to him as much as he is the project officer on case, sir.
Q:
Now, in connection with this case, Mr. Witness, do you recall whether you requested for laboratory examination?
A:
Yes, sir, I did.
x x x
Q:
After this request, what else did you do in connection with this case?
A:
I went to my office and routine procedure having turned over to the group of Major Suan already all these evidences for whatever follow-up they want to undertake.46

Based on these considerations, we conclude that there was proper handling and transfer of the confiscated items. To recapitulate, it has been clearly established that after SPO1 Pastrana seized the carton box and the three packs of shabu from the appellants, they were endorsed to Col. Castillo, who, in turn, personally delivered them to Camp Crame where they were properly marked. The Initial Laboratory Report of Forensic Analyst Zata also shows that the specimens that were analyzed were the same specimens that PO3 Pastrana had marked and that the prosecution subsequently presented in court.47

In convicting an accused for drug-related offenses, it is essential that the identity of the drugs must be established with the same unwavering exactitude as that requisite to make a finding of guilt.48 In this case, we see no irregularity on the part of the buy-bust operatives as to break the required chain of custody which could warrant the acquittal of Lai.

WHEREFORE, based on the foregoing premises, we hereby DISMISS the appeal for lack of merit, and accordingly AFFIRM the decision dated May 30, 2005 and the resolution dated September 13, 2006 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 00434.  Costs against Yu Yuk Lai.chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary

SO ORDERED.

Carpio, (Chairperson), Del Castillo, Perez, and Perlas-Bernabe, JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


1 Decision dated May 30, 2005 and resolution dated September 13, 2006 in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 00434; penned by Associate Justice Ruben T. Reyes, and concurred in by Associate Justices Josefina-Salonga and Fernanda Lampas Peralta. Rollo, pp. 4-34; and CA rollo, pp. 309-310, respectively.

2 Decision dated September 20, 2001, Regional Trial Court, Branch 27, Manila; CA rollo, pp. 175-215. Penned by Judge Teresa P. Soriaso.

3 The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.

4 AN ACT TO IMPOSE THE DEATH PENALTY ON CERTAIN HEINOUS CRIMES, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE THE REVISED PENAL LAWS, AS AMENDED, OTHER SPECIAL PENAL LAWS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

5 CA rollo, p. 19.

6 Id. at 47.

7Rollo, p. 5.

8 Id. at 7.

9 Id. at 6.

10 Id.

11 Id.

12 Id. at 8.

13 Id.

14 Id. at 9.

15 Records II, pp. 16-17; italics ours.

16 TSN, February 23, 2001, pp. 11-19.

17 Id. at 22-27.

18 Id. at 28-30.

19 Id. at 31-33.

20 Id. at 34-41.

21 Id. at 42-45.

22 TSN, March 30, 2001, pp. 16-18.

23 Records II, pp. 32-33.

24 Id. at 30-36.

25 Records II, p. 52.

26People v. Unisa, G.R. No. 185721, September 28, 2011, 658 SCRA 305, 324.

27The People of the Philippines v. Noel Bartolome y Bajo, G.R. No. 191726, February 6, 2013.

28 People v. Alivio, G.R. No. 177771, May 30, 2011,  649 SCRA 318, 328.

29 Records II, p. 14.

30 Id. at 15-16.

31 People v. Khor, 366 Phil. 762, 790.

32 TSN, September 15, 1999, pp. 16-18; italics ours.

33 393 Phil. 68, 135 (2000).

34People v. Abedin, G.R. No. 179936, April 11, 2012, 669 SCRA 322, 336.

35People v. Naquita, G.R. No. 180511, July 28, 2008, 560 SCRA 430, 445-446.

36 Supra note 27.

37 TSN, January 10, 2000, pp. 1-33.

38 Records, p. 27.

39People v. Garcia, G.R. No. 173480, February 25, 2009, 580 SCRA 259, 274.

40 Records, pp. 531-533.

41 TSN, October 6, 1999, p. 23.

42 Id. at 23-25; italics and emphases ours.

43 TSN, January 12, 2000, pp. 36-40.

44 TSN, October 13, 1999, p. 5.

45 Records II, p. 19.

46 TSN, January 12, 2000, pp. 29-32.

47 Records I, p. 25.

48Sales v. People, G.R. No. 182296, April 7, 2009, 584 SCRA 680, 688-689.



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  • G.R. No. 205180, November 11, 2013 - RYAN VIRAY, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 7965, November 13, 2013 - AZUCENA SEGOVIA-RIBAYA, Complainant, v. ATTY. BARTOLOME C. LAWSIN, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 9698, November 13, 2013 - ROLANDO E. CAWALING, PEDRO L. LABAYO, WENCESLAO Q. ARROYO, JR., CLEMENTE B. BUEN, RAMON D. DERIT, DWIGHT B, DURAN, FELIZARDO R. FRANCISCO, JR., SUSANA G. HABOC, ARNOLD C. PEREZ, VERLAND E. VERGARA, AMELIA L. ESPINOSA, NOEL P. BOLA, VENERANDO A. PADUA, JR., LAURENCE ALBERT D. AYO, WILLY B. AQUINO, EDUARDO A. REMPIS, JIMMY A. BUTAC, EDUARDO D. DOCTAMA, AND ANTONIO T. REODIQUE, Complainants, v. NAPOLEON M. MENESE (RETIRED COMMISSIONER, NLRC-SECOND DIVISION), RAUL T. AQUINO (PRESIDING COMMISSIONER, NLRC-SECOND DIVISION) AND TERESITA D. CASTILLON-LORA (COMMISSIONER, NLRC-SECOND DIVISION), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199067, November 11, 2013 - NISSAN GALLERY-ORTIGAS, Petitioners, v. PURIFICACION F. FELIPE, Respondent.

  • A.M. Nos. P-13-3116 & P-13-3112, November 12, 2013 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. MS. ROSA A. ACAMPADO, CLERK OF COURT II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT, TAFT, EASTERN SAMAR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 188526, November 11, 2013 - CENTURY CHINESE MEDICINE CO., MING SENG CHINESE DRUGSTORE, XIANG JIAN CHINESE DRUG STORE, TEK SAN CHINESE DRUG STORE, SIM SIM CHINESE DRUG STORE, BAN SHIONG TAY CHINESE DRUG STORE AND/OR WILCENDO TAN MENDEZ, SHUANG YING CHINESE DRUGSTORE, AND BACLARAN CHINESE DRUG STORE, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND LING NA LAU, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181416, November 11, 2013 - MEDICAL PLAZA MAKATI CONDOMINIUM CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. ROBERT H. CULLEN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 171428, November 11, 2013 - ALEJANDRO V. TANKEH, Petitioners, v. DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, STERLING SHIPPING LINES, INC., RUPERTO V. TANKEH, VICENTE ARENAS, AND ASSET PRIVATIZATION TRUST, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 184266, November 11, 2013 - APPLIED FOOD INGREDIENTS COMPANY, INC., Petitioners, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200029, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BASILIO VILLARMEA Y ECHAVEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. 11-9-167-RTC, November 11, 2013 - RE: UNAUTHORIZED TRAVEL ABROAD OF JUDGE CLETO R. VILLACORTA III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 6, BAGUIO CITY

  • G.R. No. 192183, November 11, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ANDY ZULIETA A.K.A. “BOGARTS,” Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 181622, November 20, 2013 - GENESIS INVESTMENT, INC., CEBU JAYA REALTY INC., AND SPOUSES RHODORA AND LAMBERT LIM, Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF CEFERINO EBARASABAL,* NAMELY: ROGELIO EBARASABAL, SPOUSES LIGAYA E. GULIMLIM AND JOSE GULIMLIM, SPOUSES VISITACION E. CONEJOS AND ELIAS CONEJOS, BEN TEJERO, POCAS TEJERO, GERTRUDES TEJERO, BANING HAYO, LACIO EBARASABAL AND JULIETA EBARASABAL; HEIRS OF FLORO EBARASABAL, NAMELY: SOFIA ABELONG, PEPITO EBARASABAL AND ELPIDIO EBARASABAL; HEIRS OF LEONA EBARASABAL-APOLLO, NAMELY: SILVESTRA A. MOJELLO AND MARCELINO APOLLO; HEIRS OF PEDRO EBARASABAL, NAMELY: BONIFACIO EBARASABAL, SERGIO EBARASABAL AND JAIME EBARASABAL; HEIRS OF ISIDRO EBARASABAL, NAMELY: SPOUSES CARLOSA E. NUEVO AND FORTUNATO NUEVA;** HEIRS OF BENITO EBARASABAL, NAMELY: PAULO BAGAAN, SPOUSES CATALINA A. MARIBAO AND RENE MARIBAO, VICENTE ABRINICA AND PATRON EBARASABAL; HEIRS OF JULIAN EBARASABAL, NAMELY: ALFREDO BAGAAN, JUAN BAGAAN, AVELINO BAGAAN, FERDINAND BAGAAN, MAURO BAGAAN, SPOUSES ROWENA B. LASACA AND FRANCISCO LACASA,*** SPOUSES MARIA B. CABAG AND EMILIO CABAG AND ESTELITA BAGAAN, ALL BEING REPRESENTED HEREIN BY VICTOR MOJELLO, FEDERICO BAGAAN AND PAULINO EBARASABAL, AS THEIR ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 165585, November 20, 2013 - GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioners, v. PRUDENTIAL GUARANTEE AND ASSURANCE, INC., DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 176982 - GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM, Petitioners, v. PRUDENTIAL GUARANTEE AND ASSURANCE, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 182314, November 12, 2013 - VIRGINIA Y. GOCHAN, FELIX Y. GOCHAN III, LOUISE Y. GOCHAN, ESTEBAN Y. GOCHAN, JR., AND DOMINIC Y. GOCHAN, Petitioners, v. CHARLES MANCAO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 187854, November 12, 2013 - RAY PETER O. VIVO, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE AMUSEMENT AND GAMING CORPORATION (PAGCOR), Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 7329, November 27, 2013 - SPOUSES DAVID AND MARISA WILLIAMS, Complainants, v. ATTY. RUDY T. ENRIQUEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 197592 and 202623, November 27, 2013 - THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN, Petitioners, v. JODY KING CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT CORP., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198338, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. P/SUPT. ARTEMIO E. LAMSEN, PO2 ANTHONY D. ABULENCIA, AND SPO1 WILFREDO L. RAMOS, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 188260, November 13, 2013 - LUZON HYDRO CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 9385, November 11, 2013 - MARIANO AGADAN, EDEN MOLLEJON, ARSENIO IGME, JOSE NUMBAR, CECILIA LANGAWAN, PABLO PALMA, JOSELITO CLAVERIA, MIGUEL FLORES, AND ALBERT GAYDOWEN, Complainants, v. ATTY. RICHARD BALTAZAR KILAAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 180200, November 25, 2013 - DIGITAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC., Petitioners, v. JESSIE E. CANTOS, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 14155-Ret., November 19, 2013 - RE: APPLICATION FOR SURVIVORSHIP PENSION BENEFITS UNDER REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9946 OF MRS. PACITA A. GRUBA, SURVIVING SPOUSE OF THE LATE MANUEL K. GRUBA, FORMER CTA ASSOCIATE JUDGE.

  • G.R. No. 202358, November 27, 2013 - GATCHALIAN REALTY, INC., Petitioners, v. EVELYN M. ANGELES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181473, November 11, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DONEY GADUYON Y TAPISPISAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 181983, November 13, 2013 - CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIAL GASES, INC., Petitioners, v. ALABANG MEDICAL CENTER, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 180529, November 13, 2013 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioners, v. BANK OF COMMERCE, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-03-1505, November 27, 2013 - MAMASAW SULTAN ALI, Complainant, v. HON. BAGUINDA-ALI PACALNA, PRESIDING JUDGE, HON. PUNDAYA A. BERUA, ACTING PRESIDING JUDGE, HADJI IBRA DARIMBANG, CLERK OF COURT AND MANDAG U. BATUA-AN, COURT STENOGRAPHER, ALL OF THE MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, MUNICIPALITY OF BALINDONG, PROVINCE OF LANAO DEL SUR, Respondents.; IN THE MATTER OF: PETITION FOR ABSOLUTE JUDICIAL CLEMENCY OF FORMER JUDGE BAGUINDA-ALI A. PACALNA, MTCC, MARAWI CITY

  • G.R. No. 198718, November 27, 2013 - SPOUSES TEODORO AND ROSARIO SARAZA AND FERNANDO SARAZA, Petitioners, v. WILLIAM FRANCISCO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 190318, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROBERTO VELASCO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 190180, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARISSA CASTILLO Y ALIGNAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199494, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. WELMO LINSIE Y BINEVIDEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 194538, November 27, 2013 - MORETO MIRALLOSA AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING RIGHTS AND INTERESTS UNDER HIM, Petitioners, v. CARMEL DEVELOPMENT, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198318, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ASIR GANI Y ALIH AND NORMINA GANI Y GALOS, Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. P-12-3063 (Formerly A.M. OCA IPI No. 09-3082-P), November 26, 2013 - ELEANOR P. OLIVAN, Complainant, v. ARNEL JOSE A. RUBIO, DEPUTY SHERIFF IV, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, NAGA CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194582, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, VS. ALLAN NIEGAS Y FALLORE, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 183923, November 27, 2013 - GENEROSO ENESIO, Petitioners, v. LILIA TULOP, SUBSTITUTED BY HER HEIRS, NAMELY: MILAGROS T. ASIA, MATTHEW N. TULOP AND RESTITUTO N. TULOP, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206794, November 26, 2013 - BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND PERRY L. PE, Petitioners, v. THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193839, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAVIER CAÑAVERAS, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. P-12-3089 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 11-3591-P), November 13, 2013 - HEIRS OF CELESTINO TEVES, REPRESENTED BY PAUL JOHN TEVES ABAD, ELSA C. AQUINO AND FELIMON E. FERNAN, Complainants, v. AUGUSTO J. FELICIDARIO, SHERIFF IV, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF MANILA, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 168951 & 169000, November 27, 2013 - DR. ROGER R. POSADAS AND DR. ROLANDO P. DAYCO, Petitioners, v. SANDIGANBAYAN AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 173183, November 18, 2013 - SYCAMORE VENTURES CORPORATION AND SPOUSES SIMON D. PAZ AND LENG LENG PAZ, Petitioners, v. METROPOLITAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176419, November 27, 2013 - GMA NETWORK, INC., Petitioners, v. CARLOS P. PABRIGA, GEOFFREY F. ARIAS, KIRBY N. CAMPO, ARNOLD L. LAGAHIT AND ARMAND A. CATUBIG, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 186433, November 27, 2013 - NUCCIO SAVERIO AND NS INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioners, v. ALFONSO G. PUYAT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192941, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DANIEL ALCOBER, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 188395, November 20, 2013 - HEIRS OF THE LATE FELIX M. BUCTON, NAMELY: NICANORA G. BUCTON, ERLINDA BUCTON-EBLAMO, AGNES BUCTON-LUGOD, WILMA BUCTON-YRAY AND DON G. BUCTON, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES GONZALO AND TRINIDAD GO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176702, November 13, 2013 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioners, v. MARCELINO A. DECHAVEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 182913, November 20, 2013 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioners, v. ANTONIO, FELIZA, NEMESIO, ALBERTO, FELICIDAD, RICARDO, MILAGROS AND CIPRIANO, ALL SURNAMED BACAS; EMILIANA CHABON, SATURNINO ABDON, ESTELA CHABON, LACSASA DEMON, PEDRITA CHABON, FORTUNATA EMBALSADO, MINDA J. CASTILLO, PABLO CASTILLO, ARTURO P. LEGASPI, AND JESSIE I. LEGASPI, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 176269, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. KENNETH MONCEDA Y SY ALIAS “WILLIAM SY” AND YU YUK LAI ALIAS “SZE YUK LAI,”Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 200289, November 25, 2013 - WESTWIND SHIPPING CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. UCPB GENERAL INSURANCE CO., INC. AND ASIAN TERMINALS, INC., Respondents.; G.R. NO. 200314 - ORIENT FREIGHT INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioners, v. UCPB GENERAL INSURANCE CO., INC. AND ASIAN TERMINALS, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193190, November 13, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARILYN SANTOS AND ARLENE VALERA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 179181, November 18, 2013 - ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA, Petitioners, v. CRESENCIA STA. TERESA RAMOS, ASSISTED BY HER HUSBAND, PONCIANO FRANCISCO, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 172532 & 172544-45, November 20, 2013 - PRIMO C. MIRO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS DEPUTY OMBUDSMAN FOR THE VISAYAS, Petitioners, v. MARILYN MENDOZA VDA. DE EREDEROS, CATALINA ALINGASA AND PORFERIO I. MENDOZA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 171464, November 27, 2013 - SPOUSES ELISEO R. BAUTISTA AND EMPERATRIZ C. BAUTISTA, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES MILA JALANDONI AND ANTONIO JALANDONI AND MANILA CREDIT CORPORATION, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 199341 - MANILA CREDIT CORPORATION, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES MILA AND ANTONIO JALANDONI, AND SPOUSES ELISEO AND EMPERATRIZ C. BAUTISTA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 194201, November 27, 2013 - SPOUSES BAYANI H. ANDAL AND GRACIA G. ANDAL, Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, REGISTER OF DEEDS OF BATANGAS CITY, JOSE C. CORALES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 198935, November 27, 2013 - MAYNILAD WATER SUPERVISORS ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTED BY ROBERTA ESTINO, Petitioners, v. MAYNILAD WATER SERVICES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 181276, November 11, 2013 - THE COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioners, v. VISAYAS GEOTHERMAL POWER COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 206095, November 25, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROBERTO GARCIA Y PADIERNOS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 201445, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff–Appellee, v. HERMENIGILDO MAGLENTE Y MEDINA ALIAS “JUN MAGLENTE” AND ROLANDO VELASQUEZ Y GUEVARRA ALIAS “RANDY,” Accused–Appellants. - DAN MAGSIPOC Y CANCELER AND PABLO INEZ ALIAS “KA JAY,” Accused.

  • G.R. No. 201445, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff–Appellee, v. HERMENIGILDO MAGLENTE Y MEDINA ALIAS “JUN MAGLENTE” AND ROLANDO VELASQUEZ Y GUEVARRA ALIAS “RANDY,” Accused–Appellants. - DAN MAGSIPOC Y CANCELER AND PABLO INEZ ALIAS “KA JAY,” Accused.

  • G.R. No. 203433, November 27, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FAISAL LOKS Y PELONYO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 181873, November 27, 2013 - SPOUSES PIO DATO AND SONIA Y. SIA, Petitioners, v. BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 171282, November 27, 2013 - SKM ART CRAFT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. EFREN BAUCA, PATRICIO OLMILLA, ZALDY ESCALARES, PEDRITO OLMILLA, PEDRO BERAY, DANILO SOLDE, NOEL PALARCA, JULIUS CESAR MIGUELA, OCTAVIO OBIAS, ARVIN ABINES, RADDY TERENCIO, FE RANIDO, EDNA MANSUETO, SANDRO RODRIGUEZ, RENATO TANGO, HERMOGENES OBIAS, DOMINGO LAROCO, DANTE AQUINO, ARMANDO VILLA, ROGELIO DELOS REYES, NOMER MANAGO, ANTONIO BALUDCAL AND LUDIVICO STA. CLARA, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 183484 - SKM ART CRAFT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. EFREN BAUCA, PATRICIO OLMILLA, ZALDY ESCALARES, PEDRITO OLMILLA, PEDRO BERAY, DANILO SOLDE, NOEL PALARCA, JULIUS CESAR MIGUELA, OCTAVIO OBIAS, ARVIN ABINES, RADDY TERENCIO, FE RANIDO, EDNA MANSUETO, SANDRO RODRIGUEZ, RENATO TANGO, HERMOGENES OBIAS, DOMINGO LAROCO, DANTE AQUINO, ARMANDO VILLA AND ROGELIO DELOS REYES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 201105, November 25, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. NATALIO HILARION Y LALIAG, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 170904, November 13, 2013 - BANI RURAL BANK, INC., ENOC THEATER I AND II AND/OR RAFAEL DE GUZMAN, Petitioners, v. TERESA DE GUZMAN, EDGAR C. TAN AND TERESA G. TAN, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 10043, November 20, 2013 - AURORA H. CABAUATAN, Complainant, v. ATTY. FREDDIE A. VENIDA, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5239, November 18, 2013 - SPOUSES GEORGE A. WARRINER AND AURORA R. WARRINER, Complainants, v. ATTY. RENI M. DUBLIN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 171937, November 25, 2013 - CERILA J. CALANASAN, REPRESENTED BY TEODORA J. CALANASAN AS ATTORNEY–IN–FACT, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES VIRGILIO DOLORITO AND EVELYN C. DOLORITO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 191756, November 25, 2013 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JONAS GUILLEN Y ATIENZA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 194307, November 20, 2013 - BIRKENSTOCK ORTHOPAEDIE GMBH AND CO. KG (FORMERLY BIRKENSTOCK ORTHOPAEDIE GMBH), Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE SHOE EXPO MARKETING CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 164068–69, November 19, 2013 - ROLANDO P. DE LA CUESTA, Petitioner, v. THE SANDIGANBAYAN, FIRST DIVISION AND THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.; G.R. NOS. 166305–06 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. EDUARDO M. COJUANGCO, JR., HERMENEGILDO ** C. ZAYCO, SALVADOR ESCUDERO III, VICENTE B. VALDEPEÑAS, JR., ROLANDO P. DE LA CUESTA AND THE HON. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), Respondents.; G.R. NOS. 166487–88 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. THE SANDIGANBAYAN AND EDUARDO M. COJUANGCO, JR., ROLANDO P. DE LA CUESTA, HERMINIGILDO C. ZAYCO, JOSE R. ELEAZAR, JR., FELIX V. DUEÑAS, JR., SALVADOR ESCUDERO III, AND VICENTE B. VALDEPEÑAS, JR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203204, November 20, 2013 - HEIRS OF ROMULO D. SANDUETA, namely: GLORIA SANDUETA ELOPRE, HEIRS OF JOSEPHINE S. NADALA, represented by ROY S. NADALA, HOFBOWER ANDUETA, NERISA SANDUETA MICUBO, OSCAR SANDUETA, MARILYN SANDUETA VELASCO, RONALD SANDUETA, AND NAPOLEON SANDUETA, Petitioners, v. DOMINGO ROBLES, HEIRS OF TEODORO ABAN, namely: NERIO ABAN, VIRGINIO ABAN, SUSANA ABAN, AND DAVID ABAN; HEIRS OF EUFRECENA* GALEZA, namely: CESAR GALEZA, NESTOR GALEZA, ANGELA GALEZA, JUSTO GALEZA, KIA GALEZA PONCE, PORFERIA GALEZA NALZARO, ROSARIO GALEZA VELASCO, HERMINIA GALEZA GUERRERO, AND NONA GALEZA NACARIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 184083, November 19, 2013 - WILLIAM C. DAGAN, Petitioner, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, REPRESENTED BY HON. ROGELIO A. RINGPIS, GRAFT INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OFFICER II, JAIME DILAG Y AGONCILLO, EDUARDO JOSE Y BAUTISTA, VERGEL CRUZ Y AQUINO,. EDUARDO DOMINGO Y COSCULLUELA, ROGELIO TANDIAMA Y ARESPACOCHAGA, REYNALDO FERNANDO Y GALANG, AND ROMEO BUENCAMINO Y FRANCISCO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208566, November 19, 2013 - GRECO ANTONIOUS BEDA B. BELGICA, JOSE M. VILLEGAS, JR., JOSE L. GONZALEZ, REUBEN M. ABANTE, AND QUINTIN PAREDES SAN DIEGO, Petitioners, v. HONORABLE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR., SECRETARY OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FLORENCIO B. ABAD, NATIONAL TREASURER ROSALIA V. DE LEON, SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY FRANKLIN M. DRILON IN HIS CAPACITY AS SENATE PRESIDENT, AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPRESENTED BY FELICIANO S. BELMONTE, JR. IN HIS CAPACITY AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 208493 - SOCIAL JUSTICE SOCIETY (SJS) PRESIDENT SAMSON S. ALCANTARA, Petitioner, v. HONORABLE FRANKLIN M. DRILON, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SENATE PRESIDENT, AND HONORABLE FELICIANO S. BELMONTE, JR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Respondents.; G.R. NO. 209251 - PEDRITO M. NEPOMUCENO, FORMER MAYOR–BOAC, MARINDUQUE FORMER PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBER – PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE, Petitioner, v. PRESIDENT BENIGNO SIMEON C. AQUINO III* AND SECRETARY FLORENCIO “BUTCH” ABAD, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondents.