Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2018 > July 2018 Decisions > G.R. No. 237804, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERCINDO BOBOTIOK, JR. Y LONTOC, Accused-Appellant.:




G.R. No. 237804, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERCINDO BOBOTIOK, JR. Y LONTOC, Accused-Appellant.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 237804, July 04, 2018

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERCINDO BOBOTIOK, JR. Y LONTOC, Accused-Appellant.

D E C I S I O N

VELASCO JR., J.:

The Case

Before the Court is an ordinary appeal1 filed by accused-appellant Mercindo Bobotiok, Jr. y Lontoc (Bobotiok Jr.) assailing the Decision2 dated December 11, 2017 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR No. 09066, which affirmed with modification the Judgment dated January 30, 2017 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 267, Pasig City, finding accused�-appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal delivery of shabu penalized under Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 (RA 9165), otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The Facts

In an Information3 dated February 2, 2011, accused-appellant was charged with violation of Section 5, paragraph 1, Article II of RA 9165, the accusatory portion of which reads:
That, on or about the 1st day of February 2011, in the City of Taguig, Philippines, and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above-named accused, without having been authorized by law, did, then and there willfully, unlawfully and knowingly sell, deliver and give away to PO1 Jerry V. Balbin, who acted as police poseur buyer, one (1) small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet, marked with JVB-010211 containing zero point thirteen (0.13) grams, of white crystalline substance, for and in consideration of the amount of Php.500.00, which substance was found positive to the test for Methylamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as "Shabu"[,] a dangerous drug, in violation of the above-cited law.

CONTRARY TO LAW.4
During arraignment, accused-appellant, assisted by his counsel de oficio, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge.5 The mandatory pre-trial conference was terminated on March 14, 2011 and trial on the merits ensued thereafter.6

Version of the Prosecution

The prosecution presented four (4) witnesses, namely: 1) Police Officer 1 (PO1) Jerry Balbin, the poseur-buyer; 2) Police Chief Inspector (PCI) Richard Allan Mangalip, the Forensic Chemical Officer; 3) Police Officer 2 (PO2) Roel Medrano; and 4) PO2 Vergelio del Rosario, the police investigator. The testimony of PCI Mangalip was, however, dispensed with in view of the stipulation of facts entered into by the public prosecutor and the defense counsel.7 Similarly, the testimonies of PO2 Medrano and PO2 del Rosario were likewise dispensed with, but this time, for being merely corroborative of the testimony of PO1 Balbin.8

PO1 Balbin testified that sometime around 9 o'clock in the morning of February 1, 2011, a confidential informant went to the office of the Station Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Group (SAID SOTG) of Taguig City Police Station to report the illegal dntg activities of a certain Zenell Cruz along Dr. Natividad Street in Tipas, Taguig City.9 The confidential informant spoke with Team Leader PCI Mihilan Abu Payao, who then conducted a briefing with the other members of the buy-bust team, namely: SPO2 Sanchez, PO3 Medrano, PO3 Antillon, PO3 Briones, PO3 More, and PO1 Balbin.10

Coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was made by the buy-bust team whereby a Pre-Operation Report and a Coordination Form were prepared and sent to the PDEA. Upon receipt of the documents, the PDEA faxed Control Number MMR0-0211-00007 authorizing the buy-bust team to proceed with the operation.11

During the briefing, PO1 Balbin was assigned as the poseur-buyer and was given one (1) Five Hundred Peso (P500.00) bill marked with "MP" to be used as the buy-bust money. PO2 Medrano was assigned as the immediate back-up of PO1 Balbin who would await the pre-arranged signal and assist in arresting the accused, while the others served as perimeter back-up. The pre-arranged signal was the scratching at the back of the head of PO1 Balbin. They also discussed the jump-off of the buy-bust team, wherein they would be using four vehicles to proceed to the area.12

PO1 Balbin narrated how the confidential informant arranged through text messages the meeting with Zenell Cruz. Upon receiving the go signal from Zenell Cruz sometime around 6:45 that night, the buy-bust team proceeded to the meeting place at Ibayo, Tipas, Taguig City and arrived at the area at around 7:00 p.m. PO1 Balbin and the confidential informant alighted from the vehicle and walked about fifty meters along Dr. Natividad Street.13

Before they could make a turn into an alley to meet Zenell Cruz, a male person, who was subsequently identified as accused-appellant, approached and asked them if they were the ones whom Zenell Cruz were texting with, to which the confidential informant replied, "Oo, kami po." Accused-appellant told them, "Wala si Zenell. May pinuntahang importante," then he handed a small transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance to PO1 Balbin. PO1 Balbin pinched the plastic sachet to find out if it was brittle. Upon verification of the contents thereof, PO1 Balbin scratched the back of his head prompting PO2 Medrano to rush towards the crime. scene. PO1 Balbin immediately grabbed accused� appellant, introduced himself as a police officer, and apprised accused-�appellant of his constitutional rights.14 PO1 Balbin then marked the plastic sachet with "JVB-010211," representing his initials and the date of the incident, while in the presence of accused-appellant. The buy bust team then brought the accused-appellant and the confiscated dangerous drugs to their office.15

Upon arrival at the police station, PO1 Balbin made the inventory in the presence of accused-appellant and the buy-bust team, then accomplished the Chain of Custody Form and the Turnover of Arrested Suspect. He thereafter turned over the confiscated drugs to investigator PO2 Vergelio P. del Rosario who prepared a Spot Report, Booking and Information Sheet, and an Affidavit of Arrest duly signed by PO1 Balbin and PO2 Medrano.16 PO2 Del Rosario also took photographs of the seized dangerous drugs, as witnessed by PO1 Balbin.17

Based on the stipulations by the parties, it appears that PO3 Del Rosario prepared the affidavit of arrest of accused-appellant, as well as the request for laboratory examination of the confiscated white crystalline substance and the drug test of accused-appellant,18 addressed to the Southern Police District Crime Laboratory Office to determine the presence of any form of dangerous drugs in the seized item.19 PO2 del Rosario, accompanied by PO1 Balbin and in the presence of accused-appellant, personally delivered the letter-request and the confiscated item to the PNP Crime Laboratory where they were received at 10:00 p.m. of February 1, 2011.20

The spt cimen was turned over to the Forensic Chemical Officer, PCI Mangalip, whose testimony was dispensed with after the stipulations by the parties. The parties stipulated, among others, that PCI Mangalip conducted a laboratory examination on one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet marked as "JVB-010211" containing 0.13 gram of white crystalline substance and that Physical Science Report No. D-053-11S dated February 2, 2011 showed that the specimen gave a positive result for the presence of methylamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.21

Version of the Defense

The defense presented accused-appellant and Rexel Lagui as their witnesses.

Accused-appellant testified that at 4:30 in the afternoon of January 30, 2011, he was with a certain Andrian Lizertiguez betting at the Pateros Cockpit where he was serving as a kristo. On their way home, after accused-appellant and his companion had boarded a tricycle, two armed men in civilian clothes rode on the back portion of the vehicle. Accused-�appellant later discovered that the two men were police officers.22

As the tricycle approached the Garden of Memories, along the boundary of Pateros and Taguig, accused-appellant and Lizertiguez were asked to alight from the tricycle and were frisked by the police officers. They were then handcuffed and transferred to the vehicle which arrived and were brought to the Drug Enforcement Unit Office at the Taguig City Hall.23

Accused-appellant claimed that while at the Taguig City Hall, the police officers demanded Php100,000.00 from them, with a warning that if they fail to produce such amount, they will be charged with violation of Section 5, Article II of R.A. 9165. While both of them were not able to give the money, only Lizertiguez was allowed to go home while accused� appellant remained in detention. According to accused-appellant, the police officers let his companion leave so that the latter could inform the wife of accused-appellant of his arrest and the amount which needed to be paid.24

Rexel Lagui, the purported driver of the tricycle which accused�-appellant claims to have boarded at the time of the incident, confirmed that accused-appellant was his passenger in the afternoon of January 3, 2011 when two men suddenly boarded the vehicle and ordered him to stop at the Garden of Memories. Once stopped, a red vehicle arrived and accused-�appellant was dragged inside the vehicle.25

Ruling of the Regional Trial Court

In a Judgment26 dated January 30, 2017, the trial court found accused� appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal sale of dangerous drugs, the dispositive portion of which reads:
WHEREFORE, based on the foregoing dissertation of the court, the court finds accused Mercindo Bobotiok, Jr. y Lontoc Guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violation of Section 5, 1st paragraph, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 under Criminal Case No. 17417-D-TG and judgment is hereby rendered that he should suffer the penalty of Life Imprisonment and to pay a Fine in the amount of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php500,000.00).

The Jail Warden of the Taguig City Jail is hereby directed to commit the above named accused to the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, Muntinlupa City.

Let the illegal drugs subject of the instant case be turned over to the PDEA to be destroyed in the manner provided by law.

SO ORDERED.
The trial court ruled that all elements of illegal sale of dangerous drugs were present in this case. It found credibility in the testimony of prosecution witnesses PO1 Balbin and PO3 Medrano, that accused-appellant, whose identity was then unknown to them, sold to PO1 Balbin and the confidential informant an illegal drug contained in a transparent plastic sachet sometime between 6:00 and 7:00 in the evening of February 1, 2011. Even though PO1 Balbin was unable to give the marked money to accused-appellant, the trial court held that the omission was not fatal since PO1 Balbin was ready to hand over the same at that time except that he may have forgotten to do so.27

Aside from this, the trial court found that the prosecution was able to establish that the chain of custody of the seized drugs remained unbroken, as evidenced by the duly signed Chain of Custody Form. Although the inventory lacked the required witnesses, the trial court ruled that there was sufficient justifiable ground to excuse the prosecution from compliance thereon since the police operatives exerted efforts to secure the said witnesses, albeit in vain.28

It further ruled that the prosecution was able to demonstrate that the integrity and evidentiary value of the evidence seized had been preserved thus, there was no break in the chain of custody of the seized drugs. Moreover, the trial court declared that the presumption that the integrity of the evidence has been preserved will remain unless there was a showing of bad faith, ill will, or tampering of evidence, which was not shown or overcome by accused-appellant.29

Accordingly, accused-appellant elevated the case on appeal to the CA.

Ruling of the Court of Appeals

In the assailed Decision, the CA affirmed the findings of the trial court, to wit:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, the instant appeal is hereby DENIED. The Judgment dated January 30, 2017 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 267, Pasig City is AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION in that appellant Mercindo Bobotiok, Jr. y Lontoc is found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal delivery of shabu penalized under Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165. Accordingly, he is sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00).

SO ORDERED.30
The CA sustained the conviction of accused-appellant under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165, albeit on a different ground. Based on the evidence presented, the CA found that accused-appellant cannot be convicted of illegal sale of dangerous drugs since PO1 Balbin failed to effect payment and no sale was consummated. Instead, the CA declared that accused� appellant may still be convicted for the illegal delivery of shabu under the same provision of law, the elements of which were found by the appellate court to be present in this case.31

As for the claim that the prosecution failed to establish the chain of custody and that there was a non-compliance with the requirements set forth under Section 21 of RA 9165, the appellate court held that there was no break in the chain of custody of the seized dangerous drugs and that its integrity and evidentiary value was properly preserved. Finally, the CA affirmed the penalty imposed by the trial court despite the modification in the crime charged.32

Hence, this appeal.

The Issue

The issue in this case is whether the CA erred in affirming accused�-appellant's conviction.

The Court's Ruling

We find the appeal meritorious.

The elements of illegal delivery of dangerous drugs are present in the instant case

Accused-appellant was charged with selling, delivering, and giving away dangerous drugs under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165, which reads:
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 of such transactions. x x x (emphasis supplied)
As correctly found by the appellate court, accused-appellant could not be charged or convicted for the illegal sale of dangerous drugs due to the fact that the poseur-buyer, PO1 Balbin, failed to effect payment for the drugs handed to him by accused-appellant. It appears that PO1 Balbin was caught off-guard when it was accused-appellant who approached them and handed over the plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance, when he was expecting a person named Zenell Cruz. In the confusion, PO1 Balbin immediately executed the pre-arranged hand signal and proceeded to arrest the accused-appellant without giving the latter the opportunity to ask for payment or to receive the marked money as payment.

Nevertheless, We agree with the findings of the CA that accused�-appellant's actions may still be prosecuted under Section 5 as the prohibited act of delivering or distributing prohibited drugs. The elements of illegal delivery of dangerous drugs are: (1) the accused passed on possession of a dangerous dn1g to another, personally or otherwise, and by any means; (2) such delivery is not authorized by law; and (3) the accused knowingly made the delivery. Thus, delivery may be committed even without consideration.33

In the present case, the prosecution was able to establish that accused�-appellant knowingly delivered the prohibited substance methylamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) to the poseur-buyer without any authorization by law and that the police operatives confiscated the same. This was clear in the testimony of prosecution witness PO1 Balbin, viz:
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
And after that, what happened?
A:
After that, somebody approached us. Before we went to an alley going to the house of Zenell Cruz, we were met by a male person, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What did this male guy tell you or your informant?
A:
We were told na wala daw po si Zenell Cruz at ipinagbilin na lang ni Zenell Cruz na may iniwan at ibigay sa amm, str.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What was your response?
A:
I told him na yong binilin niya ay kukunin na lang namin.
x x x x
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
This person knew your informant?
A:
No, sir. Si Zenell Cruz po, sir, ay may taong pinagbilinan at 'yon po ang sumalubong sa amin.
x x x x
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What was your conversation? Okay, so you saw this person.
A:
When we arrived there, he asked us if we were the textmates of Zenell.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
You were asked. And what was your response?
A:
The informant told him, "Oo, kami po".
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
After that, what did the person tell you?
A:
He told us, "Wala si Zenell. May pinuntahang importante" and then he gave us the shabu.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
To whom did this person give the drugs?
A:
I was the one who got the shabu.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What was the exact item that was given to you? How did it look like?
A:
Small transparent plastic sachet.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
So the contents, how did it look like?
A:
White crystalline substance, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What exactly did you do after receiving that?
A:
I pinched it, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
Why did you pinch it?
A:
I tried to see if it's brittle. When I found out that it's brittle, I executed the pre-arranged signal.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
When it's brittle, what would it signify?
A:
Shabu is brittle, sir.34 (emphasis supplied )
From PO1 Balbin's testimony, it is clear that accused-appellant deliberately sought out the confidential informant for the purpose of handing over the small transparent plastic sachet containing the white crystalline substance which was later proven to be shabu. When he confirmed that the confidential informant and PO1 Balbin were the ones whom Zenell Cruz was supposed to meet with, he voluntarily gave them the dangerous drugs, although he had no authority under the law to deliver or distribute the same.

Accused-appellant's defense of "frame up" holds no water since he failed to prove any ill motive on the part of the apprehending officers so as to incriminate him for the crime charged. While the defense presented the testimony of Rexel Laqui who was supposedly the driver of the tricycle which accused-appellant claims to have been riding at the time of his arrest, it did not prove the alleged "frame-up." Instead, it cast even more doubt on the credibility of the defense since nowhere in Laqui's testimony was it mentioned that accused-appellant had a companion at the time he was arrested. On this point, Laqui's testimony contradicted accused-appellant's own testimony, instead of corroborating the latter.

Based on the foregoing, We find that the CA was correct in ruling that crime of illegal delivery of dangerous drugs under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165 was committed by accused-appellant. However, this Court finds that there were missing links in the chain of custody of the seized items.

The prosecution did not establish compliance with the chain of custody rule and Section 21 of RA 9165

Accused-appellant hinges his appeal on the alleged failure of the prosecution to establish a continuous and unbroken chain of custody of the seized illegal drug and the lack of integrity of the evidence in view of the non-compliance with Section 21, Article II of RA 9165.

Chain of custody is defined as the duly recorded authorized movements and custody of seized drugs or controlled chemicals or plant sources of dangerous drugs or laboratory equipment of each stage, from the time of seizure/confiscation to receipt in the forensic laboratory to safekeeping, to presentation in court for destruction.35

Section 21, Article II of RA 9165 outlines the procedural safeguards that police officers must follow in handling seized illegal dn1gs to preserve their identity, integrity, and evidentiary value, the pertinent portions of which read:
Section 21. Custody and Disposition of Confiscated, Seized, and/or Surrendered Dangerous Drugs, Plant Sources of Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals, Instruments/Paraphernalia and/or Laboratory Equipment. The PDEA shall take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs, x x x so confiscated, seized and/or surrendered, for proper disposition in the following manner:

(1) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the dangerous drugs x x x shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, conduct a physical inventory of the seized items and photograph the same in the presence of the accused or the persons from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, with an elected public official and a representative of the National Prosecution Service or the media who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof; Provided, That the physical inventory and photograph shall be conducted at the place where the search warrant is served; or at the nearest police station or. at the nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is practicable, in case of warrantless seizures; Provided,finally, That noncompliance of these requirements under justifiable grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending officer/team, shall not render void and invalid such seizures and custody over said items. (emphasis supplied)
In the case before Us, the records show that the buy-bust team had failed to strictly comply with the prescribed procedure under Section 21, par. 1. To explain the procedure undertaken by the buy-bust team, PO1 Balbin testified, thus:
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What did you do upon your arrival in your office?
A:
I made the inventory, sir, and then, after the inventory sir, I turned over the chain of custody, sir, then the arrested suspect, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
Why did you opt to make your inventory in your office rather than in the place where you arrested the accused?
A:
Because it's a little bit dark in the area.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
What's wrong with the darkness surrounding that place?
A:
We cannot clearly see what's around us.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
Okay and for what purpose you have to see those people around you?
A:
For security reason, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
So for security?
A:
Yes, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
So, who were present at the time you made your inventory in the office?
A:
Our team leader, sir, the suspect, the investigator and our teammates, sir.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
Why only those persons that you have mentioned were present during the inventory and no other persons like media representatives, elective officials or DOJ representatives?
A:
None, sir, because our team leader P/Cinsp. Payao tried to call the media and the Barangay but no one arrived at our office.
PROSECUTOR VILLENA:
So how long did you wait for their arrival before you conducted your inventory?
A:
Almost thirty (30) minutes, sir.36 (emphasis supplied)
The prosecution justified the conduct of the inventory and photograph of the seized item at the police station instead of the place of the buy-bust operation by raising the issue of security. However, a reading of the transcript of PO1 Balbin's testimony reveals that this justification is a mere afterthought since his initial reason is the darkness of the place of arrest. It was only after the diligent prodding by the public prosecutor that PO1 Balbin mentioned the risk of security. Other than this statement, nowhere in the records was it shown that there was any actual threat or risk taken by the buy-bust team during the arrest that had actually prevented them from conducting the inventory and photographing of the seized drugs.

Even assuming arguendo that the buy-bust team's act of conducting the inventory and photographing of the seized drugs at the police station was justified, it still suffered from a major procedural lapse since it was not done in the presence of any elected public official, a representative of the National Prosecution Service, or the media. While such requirement, under justifiable reasons, shall not render void the seizure of the subject item, the prosecution must nonetheless explain its failure to abide by such procedural requirement, and show that the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized item was preserved.

When asked the reason for the non-compliance with the requirement of witnesses, PO1 Balbin reasoned that his team leader called the Barangay and the media, but no one arrived despite waiting for their arrival for 30 minutes. While there may have been an effort to contact the media and the Barangay, it was never mentioned, however, if the buy-bust team had also requested for the presence of a representative from the Department of Justice. On this matter, no such explanation was offered by the prosecution for its non-compliance with Section 21 of RA 9165.

The Court notes that the buy-bust team had more than thirty minutes to secure the attendance of the required witnesses during the inventory and photographing of the seized items. As testified by PO1 Balbin, the confidential informant arrived at the SAID-SOTG office as early as 9:00 o'clock in the morning of February 1, 2011. However, the actual buy-bust operation was conducted at 7:00 o'clock in the evening of the same day. Thus, they had at least ten hours from the time they received the tip until the buy-bust team proceeded to the agreed location. This appears to be more than enough time for the buy-bust team to contact and request for the presence of the required witnesses.

Another missing link in the chain of custody in the present case is the details on the preservation of the seized item from its turnover from the police station to the crime laboratory, and the turnover and submission of the same from the crime laboratory to the court, as only the following facts were stipulated:
At today's hearing, the parties appeared.

The witness for the prosecution was PCI Richard Allan Mangalip. The witness did not anymore take the witness stand and the parties have agreed to stipulate on the nature of his testimony. The parties have stipulated on the following: that the witness is a bonafide member of the Philippine National Police assigned at Crime Laboratory Office of the Southern Police District; that he is an expert witness in the field of examination of dangerous drugs particularly methylamphetamine hydrochloride; that on February 1, 2011, his office received a request for laboratory examination from the Station Anti-Illegal Drugs, Special Operation Task Group of the Taguig City Police Station; that upon receipt of the request, said witness subjected the specimen contained in one (1) heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet with markings "NB-010211" containing 0.13 gram of white crystalline substance for qualitative examination that the result gave positive result to the test for methylamphetamine hydrochloride; and that the findings of the witness was reduced into writing under Physical Science Report No. D-053-11S. For his part and by way of counter stipulation, Atty. Rommel Asuncion manifested that the said witness has no personal knowledge as to the commission of the crime and that he has also no personal knowledge that those items examined were the same shabu recovered from the accused.37

At today's hearing, the parties appeared.

PO3 Roel Medrano was the witness for the prosecution. He was the immediate back-up officer in the buy bust operation conducted in the herein case.

Considering his participation as a back-up officer, the parties decided to stipulate on the nature of his testimony, as follows:

x x x x

12. That he was also present during the time that the poseur buyer conducted the inventory which inventory is marked as Exhibit "D";

13. That he also saw the poseur buyer, who was in custody of the drugs, turned over the same to PO2 Vergelio del Rosario, who was the Investigator-on-Case;

14. That he was also present when photos were taken which photos were marked as Exhibits "J" to "J-1";

15. That he was also present during the inquest proceedings;

16. That the drugs the witness saw the poseur buyer, PO1 Jerry Balbin, already in possession when he responded to the pre-arranged signal and the drugs that he saw PO1 Balbin turning over to their investigation are the same drugs subject-matter of this case x x x.38

At today's hearing, the parties appeared.

The witness for the prosecution was PO3 Vergelio Del Rosario.

Being the investigator on the case, the parties agreed to stipulate on his intended testimony. They stipulated as follows: x x x that he was the designated investigator with whom the accused was presented for investigation after his apprehension; that in the course of the investigation conducted by the said witness, he prepared the affidavit of arrest of arresting officer marked as Exhibit "A" during the pre-trial; that the witness likewise made the request for laboratory examination and drug test of the accused, the laboratory examination was marked as Exhibit "M" whereas, the drug test was marked as Exhibit "L" during the pre-trial; that the witness also prepared the chain of custody form marked as Exhibit "G", the turn-over of arrested suspect marked as Exhibit "F", the turn-over of evidence marked as Exhibit "E", the inventory of seized and/or properties from the accused marked as Exhibit "D" including the affidavit of attestation which was marked as Exhibit "K"; that the witness also prepared the coordination form marked as Exhibit "C" and the pre�operation report marked as Exhibit "B"; that the witness also prepared the spot report marked as Exhibit "H", the booking sheet pertaining to Bobotiok marked as Exhibit "I" and he was the person who took the photograph of the accused including the evidence recovered from him marked as Exhibits "J" and "J-1". The defense admitted the same. The defense on the other hand offered as counter-stipulation, that the witness has no personal knowledge as to the arrest of the accused and as to the source of the illegal drugs turned-over to him.39 x x x
In dispensing with the testimonies of Forensic Chemical Officer PCI Mangalip, Investigating Officer PO2 Medrano, and PO2 del Rosario, the prosecution failed to show every link of the chain of custody. Without the testimonies or stipulations stating the details on when and how the seized plastic sachet was brought to the crime laboratory, and thereafter, to the court for the prosecution's presentation of evidence, the Court cannot ascertain whether the seized drug presented in evidence during trial was the same item seized from accused-appellant when he was arrested. These gaps in the chain of custody create doubt as to whether the corpus delicti of the crime had been properly preserved.

Time and again, this Court had taken judicial notice that buy-bust operations are "susceptible to police abuse, the most notorious of which is its use as a tool for extortion." Considering the gravity of the crime and the corresponding penalties thereof, procedural safeguards such as those specified under Section 21 of RA 9165 are provided in cases involving dangerous dntgs in order to protect the innocent from abuse and to ensure the preservation of the integrity of evidence.40

WHEREFORE, the appeal is GRANTED. The Decision dated December 11, 2017 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR No. 09066, which affirmed with modification the Judgment dated January 30, 2017 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 267, Pasig City in Criminal Case No. 17417-D-TG, is hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accused-appellant. Mercindo Bobotiok, Jr. y Lontoc is ACQUITTED of the charge of violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. His immediate RELEASE from detention is hereby ordered, unless he is being held for another lawful cause.

Let a copy of this Decision be furnished to the Director of the Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa City for immediate implementation, who is then also directed to report to this Court the action he has taken within five (5) days from his receipt of this Decision.

SO ORDERED.

Bersamin, Leonen, Martires, and Gesmundo, JJ., concur.



August 1, 2018

NOTICE OF JUDGMENT

Sirs / Mesdames:

Please take notice that on July 4, 2018 a Decision, copy attached hereto, was rendered by the Supreme Court in the above-entitled case, the original of which was received by this Office on August 1, 2018 at 10:40 a.m.

Very truly yours,
(SGD)
WILFREDO V. LAPITAN
Division Clerk of Court



ORDER OF RELEASE

TO: Director General Ronald Dela Rosa
����� BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS
� � � 1770 Muntinlupa City

GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court on July 4, 2018 promulgated a Decision in the above-entitled case, the dispositive portion of which reads:
"WHEREFORE, the appeal is GRANTED. The Decision dated December 11, 2017 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR No. 09066, which affirmed with modification the Judgment dated January 30, 2017 of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 267, Pasig City in Criminal Case No. 17417-D-TG, is hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accused-appellant Mercindo Bobotiok, Jr. y Lontoc is ACQUITTED of the charge of violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. His immediate RELEASE from detention is hereby ordered, unless he is being held for another lawful cause.

Let a copy of this Decision be furnished to the Director of the Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa City for immediate implementation, who is then also directed to report to this Court the action he has taken within five (5) days from receipt of this Decision.

SO ORDERED."
NOW, THEREFORE, You are hereby ordered to immediately release MERCINDO BOBOTIOK, JR. y LONTOC unless there are other lawful causes for which he should be further detained, and to return this Order with the certificate of your proceedings within five (5) days from notice hereof.

GIVEN by the Honorable PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR., Chairperson of the Third Division of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, this 4th day of July 2018.

Very truly yours,
(SGD)
WILFREDO V. LAPITAN
Division Clerk of Court

Endnotes:


1 See Notice of Appeal dated January 4, 2018; rollo, pp. 102-103.

2Rollo, pp. 2-18. Penned by Associate Justice Ramon R. Garcia and concurred in by Associate Justices Edwin D. Sorongon and Maria Filomena D. Singh.

3 Records, p. 1.

4 Id.

5 Id. at 30.

6 Id. at 39.

7 Transcript of Stenographic Notes (TSN) dated May 11, 2011, pp. 1-7.

8Rollo, pp. 4-6.

9 TSN, June 13, 2013, pp. 4-6.

10 Id. at 4, 6.

11 Id. at 9-10; TSN, March 3, 2016, p. 3; TSN, August 18, 2016, p. 7.

12 TSN, June 13, 2013, pp. 7-10.

13 Id. at 11-12.

14 Id. at 13-16.

15 Id. at 19-20.

16 TSN, July 30, 2014, pp. 3-7.

17 Id. at 8-9.

18 TSN, August 18, 2016, pp. 3-4.

19 Id. at 8-9.

20 TSN, July 30, 2014, p. 10.

21 TSN, May 11, 2011, pp. 2-6.

22 TSN, October 6, 2016, pp. 3-4.

23 Id. at 5-6.

24 Id. at 7-9.

25 TSN, December 12, 2016, pp. 4-6.

26 Records, pp. 161-172. Rendered by Judge Antonio M. Olivete.

27 Id. at 167.

28 Id. at 168-170.

29 Id. at 21-22.

30Rollo, p. 18.

31 Id. at 13-14.

32 Id. at 15 17.

33People of the Philippines v. Michael Maongco y Yumonda and Phans Bandali y Simpal, G.R. No. 196966, October 23, 2013.

34 TSN, June 13, 2013, pp. 13-15.

35People of the Philippines v. Myrna Gayoso y Arguelles, G.R. No. 206590, March 27, 2017, citing People of the Philippines v. Fernando Ranche Havana a.k.a. Fernando Ranche Abana, G.R. No. 198450, January 11, 2016, 778 SCRA 524, 534-535.

36 TSN, July 30, 2014, pp. 3-4.

37 Records, p. 43; Order dated May 11, 2011.

38 Id. at 125-126; Order dated March 3, 2016.

39 Id. at 151-152; Order dated August 18, 2016.

40People of the Philippines v. Eddie Barte y Mendoza, G.R. No. 179749, March 1, 2017.



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July-2018 Jurisprudence                 

  • A.M. No. P-16-3595 (Formerly OCA I.P.I. No. 15-4446-P), June 26, 2018 - HON. DENNIS PATRICK Z. PEREZ, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 67, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BINANGONAN, RIZAL, Complainant, v. ALMIRA L. ROXAS, CLERK III, BRANCH 67, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BINANGONAN, RIZAL, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. P-18-3842 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 12-3965-P), June 11, 2018 - CONSTANCIA BENONG-LINDE, Complainant, v. FELADELFA L. LOMANTAS, SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER II, OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, TAGBILARAN CITY, BOHOL, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10145, June 11, 2018 - OLIVER FABUGAIS, Complainant, v. ATTY. BERARDO C. FAUNDO JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225219, June 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RICO DE ASIS Y BALQUIN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 218244, June 13, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ARDIN CUESTA CADAMPOG, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234499, June 06, 2018 - RUDY L. RACPAN, Petitioner, v. SHARON BARROGA-HAIGH, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218253, June 20, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EVELYN SEGUIENTE Y RAMIREZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 223141, June 06, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JAY SUAREZ Y CABUSO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 230717, June 20, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LULU BATTUNG Y NARMAR, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212413, June 06, 2018 - MA. ROSARIO AGARRADO, RUTH LIBRADA AGARRADO AND ROY AGARRADO, FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR SIBLINGS AND CO-OWNERS ROBERTO AGARRADO, REUEL ANDRES AGARRADO, HEIRS OF THE LATE RODRIGO AGARRADO, JR., REX AGARRADO AND JUDY AGARRADO, Petitioners, v. CRISTITA LIBRANDO-AGARRADO AND ANA LOU AGARRADO-KING, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. P-16-3617, June 06, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. GILBERT T. INMENZO, CLERK OF COURT III, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 52, CALOOCAN CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224115, June 20, 2018 - MAGSAYSAY MARITIME CORP./AIR-SEA HOLIDAY GMBH STABLE ORGANIZATION ITALIA/ MARLON R. RO�O, Petitioners, v. ELMER V. ENANOR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222645, June 27, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MICHAEL DELIMA, ALLAN DELIMA, JOHN DOE, PAUL DOE AND PETER DOE ACCUSED, MICHAEL DELIMA AND ALLAN DELIMA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 225125, June 06, 2018 - MARLON L. ARCILLA, Petitioner, v. ZULISIBS, INC., PIANDRE SALON, AND ROSALINDA FRANCISCO, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 18-04-79-RTC, June 20, 2018 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF MR. FLORANTE B. SUMANGIL, CLERK III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF PASAY CITY, BRANCH 119.

  • G.R. No. 200899, June 20, 2018 - HEIRS OF PAZ MACALALAD, NAMELY: MARIETA MACALALAD, ARLENE MACALALAD-ADAY, JIMMY MACALALAD, MA. CRISTINA MACALALAD, NENITA MACALALAD-PAPA, AND DANNY MACALALAD, Petitioners, v. RURAL BANK OF POLA, INC. AND REGISTER OF DEEDS OF ORIENTAL MINDORO, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 11981, July 03, 2018 - LEAH B. TADAY, Complainant, v. ATTY. DIONISIO B. APOYA, JR., Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 18-06-01-SC, July 17, 2018 - RE: SHOW CAUSE ORDER IN THE DECISION DATED MAY 11, 2018 IN G.R. NO. 237428 (REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY SOLICITOR GENERAL JOSE C. CALIDA V. MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENO)

  • A.C. No. 12137, July 09, 2018 - PHENINAH* D.F. WASHINGTON, Complainant, v. ATTY. SAMUEL D. DICEN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221439, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RASHID BINASING Y DISALUNGAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 212034, July 02, 2018 - COLEGIO MEDICO-FARMACEUTICO DE FILIPINAS, INC., Petitioner, v. LILY LIM AND ALL PERSONS CLAIMING UNDER HER, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-16-2484, July 23, 2018 - THE OFFICE OF THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR, Complainant, v. HON. SELMA P. ALARAS, PRESIDING JUDGE, BRANCH 62, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, MAKATI CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 223553, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ROGELIO BAGUION A.K.A. "ROGEL," Defendant-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 227421, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RODOLFO OLARBE Y BALIHANGO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 179148, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALEXIS DINDO SAN JOSE Y SUICO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 178591, July 30, 2018 - SM SYSTEMS CORPORATION (FORMERLY SPRINGSUN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION), Petitioner, v. OSCAR CAMERINO, EFREN CAMERINO, CORNELIO MANTILE, DOMINGO ENRIQUEZ AND HEIRS OF NOLASCO DEL ROSARIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225497, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARCIANO UBUNGEN Y PULIDO, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-13-2350 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3507-RTJ), July 23, 2018 - SPS. ALBERTO AND LILIAN PACHO, Complainants, v. JUDGE AGAPITO S. LU, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 88, CAVITE CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222297, July 09, 2018 - FORTUNATO ANZURES, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES ERLINDA VENTANILLA AND ARTURO VENTANILLA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 222563, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. REYNALDO ROJAS Y VILLABLANCA, JR., Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. Nos. 235937-40, July 23, 2018 - JOHANNE EDWARD B. LABAY, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN, THIRD DIVISION, AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218721, July 10, 2018 - BINGA HYDROELECTRIC PLANT, INC., HEREIN REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, ERWIN T. TAN, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT AND NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 206800, July 02, 2018 - STRADCOM CORPORATION AND JOSE A. CHUA, Petitioners, v. JOYCE ANNABELLE L. ORPILLA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227502, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RANDY GAJILA Y SALAZAR, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 199802, July 03, 2018 - CONGRESSMAN HERMILANDO I. MANDANAS; MAYOR EFREN B. DIONA; MAYOR ANTONINO A. AURELIO; KAGAWAD MARIO ILAGAN; BARANGAY CHAIR PERLITO MANALO; BARANGAY CHAIR MEDEL MEDRANO; BARANGAY KAGAWAD CRIS RAMOS; BARANGAY KAGAWAD ELISA D. BALBAGO, AND ATTY. JOSE MALVAR VILLEGAS, Petitioners, v. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY PAQUITO N. OCHOA, JR.; SECRETARY CESAR PURISIMA, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE; SECRETARY FLORENCIO H. ABAD, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; COMMISSIONER KIM JACINTO-HENARES, BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE; AND NATIONAL TREASURER ROBERTO TAN, BUREAU OF THE TREASURY, Respondents.; G.R. No. 208488, July 3, 2018 - HONORABLE ENRIQUE T. GARCIA, JR., IN HIS PERSONAL AND OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 2ND DISTRICT OF THE PROVINCE OF BATAAN, Petitioner, v. HONORABLE [PAQUITO] N. OCHOA, JR., EXECUTIVE SECRETARY; HONORABLE CESAR V. PURISIMA, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE; HONORABLE FLORENCIO H. ABAD, SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT; HONORABLE KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES, COMMISSIONER, BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE; AND HONORABLE ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON, COMMISSIONER, BUREAU OF CUSTOMS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225604, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DIONESIO ROY Y PERALTA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 213446, July 03, 2018 - CONFEDERATION FOR UNITY, RECOGNITION AND ADVANCEMENT OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (COURAGE); JUDICIARY EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (JUDEA-PHILS); SANDIGANBAYAN EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (SEA); SANDIGAN NG MGA EMPLEYADONG NAGKAKAISA SA ADHIKAIN NG DEMOKRATIKONG ORGANISASYON (S.E.N.A.D.O.); ASSOCIATION OF COURT OF APPEALS EMPLOYEES (ACAE); DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (DAREA); SOCIAL WELFARE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES-DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT (SWEAP-DSWD); DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES UNION (DTI-EU); KAPISANAN PARA SA KAGALINGAN NG MGA KAWANI NG METRO MANILA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (KKK-MMDA); WATER SYSTEM EMPLOYEES RESPONSE (WATER); CONSOLIDATED UNION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITIES (CUE-NHA); AND KAPISANAN NG MGA MANGGAGAWA AT KAWANI NG QUEZON CITY (KASAMA KA-QC), Petitioners, v. COMMISSIONER, BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE AND THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE, Respondents.; NATIONAL FEDERATION OF EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (NAFEDA), REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ROMAN M. SANCHEZ, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY (DAEA-OSEC), REPRESENTED BY ITS ACTING PRESIDENT ROWENA GENETE, NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL AND FISHERIES COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (NAFCEA), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT SOLIDAD B. BERNARDO, COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS EMPLOYEES UNION (COMELEC EU), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MARK CHRISTOPHER D. RAMIREZ, MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION CENTRAL OFFICE (MGBEA CO), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MAYBELLYN A. ZEPEDA, LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION (LDCEA), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT JOVITA M. GONZALES, ASSOCIATION OF CONCERNED EMPLOYEES OF PHILIPPINE FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ACE OF PFDA), REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT ROSARIO DEBLOIS, Intervenors.; G.R. No. 213658, July 3, 2018 - JUDGE ARMANDO A. YANGA, IN HIS PERSONAL CAPACITY AND IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE RTC JUDGES ASSOCIATION OF MANILA, AND MA. CRISTINA CARMELA I. JAPZON, IN HER PERSONAL CAPACITY AND IN HER CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF COURT EMPLOYEES-MANILA CHAPTER, Petitioners, v. HON. COMMISSIONER KIM S. JACINTO-HENARES, IN HER CAPACITY AS COMMISSIONER OF THE BUREAU OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.; THE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURT JUDGES IN ILOILO CITY, Intervenors.

  • G.R. No. 197908, July 04, 2018 - VISITACION R. REBULTAN, CECILOU R. BAYONA, CECILIO REBULTAN, JR., AND VILNA R. LABRADOR, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES EDMUNDO DAGANTA AND MARVELYN P. DAGANTA, AND WILLIE VILORIA, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 10557 (Formerly CBD Case No. 07-1962), July 10, 2018 - JERRY M. PALENCIA, Complainant, v. ATTY. PEDRO L. LINSANGAN, ATTY. GERARD M. LINSANGAN, AND ATTY. GLENDA M. LINSANGAN-BINOYA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221813, July 23, 2018 - MARICALUM MINING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ELY G. FLORENTINO, GLENN BUENVIAJE, RUDY J. GOMEZ, REPRESENTED BY HIS HEIRS THELMA GOMEZ, ALEJANDRO H. SITCHON, NENET ARITA, FERNANDO SIGUAN, DENNIS ABELIDA, NOEL S. ACCOLADOR, WILFREDO TAGANILE, SR., MARTIR S. AGSOY, SR., MELCHOR APUCAY, DOMINGO LAVIDA, JESUS MOSQUEDA, RUELITO A. VILLARMIA, SOFRONIO M. AYON, EFREN T. GENISE, ALQUIN A. FRANCO, PABLO L. ALEMAN, PEPITO G. HEPRIANA, ELIAS S. TRESPECES, EDGAR SOBRINO, Respondents.; G.R. No. 222723, July 23, 2018 - ELY FLORENTINO, GLENN BUENVIAJE, RUDY J. GOMEZ, REPRESENTED BY HIS HEIRS THELMA GOMEZ, FERNANDO SIGUAN, DENNIS ABELIDA, NOEL S. ACCOLADOR,WILFREDO TAGANILE, SR., MARTIR S. AGSOY, SR., MELCHOR APUCAY, DOMINGO LAVIDA, JESUS MOSQUEDA, RUELITO A. VILLARMIA, SOFRONIO M. AYON, EFREN T. GENISE, ALQUIN A. FRANCO, PABLO L. ALEMAN, PEPITO G. HEPRIANA, ELIAS S. TRESPECES, EDGAR SOBRINO, ALEJANDRO H. SITCHON, NENET ARITA, WELILMO T. NERI, ERLINDA FERNANDEZ, AND EDGARDO PE�AFLORIDA, Petitioners, v. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS COMMISSION - 7TH DIVISION, CEBU CITY, "G" HOLDINGS, INC., AND TEODORO G. BERNARDINO, ROLANDO DEGOJAS, MARICALUM MINING CORPORATION. Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 192285, July 11, 2018 - MATEO ENCARNACION (DECEASED), SUBSTITUTED BY HIS HEIRS, NAMELY: ELSA DEPLIAN-ENCARNACION, KRIZZA MARIE D. ENCARNACION, LORETA ENCARNACION, CARMELITA E. STADERMAN, CORAZON S. ENCARNACION, RIZALINA ENCARNACION-PARONG, VICTORIA ENCARNACION-DULA, MARIA HELEN ENCARNACION-DAY, TERESITA ENCARNACION-MANALANG, GEORGE ENCARNACION, MARY MITCHIE E. EDWARDSON, ERNESTO ENCARNACION, MATEO ENCARNACION, JR., AND GRACE WAGNER, Petitioners, v. THOMAS JOHNSON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233334, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOHN CARLO SALGA AND RUEL "TAWING" NAMALATA, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 207711, July 02, 2018 - MARIA C. OSORIO Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 198916-17, July 23, 2018 - MALAYAN INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., Petitioner, v. ST. FRANCIS SQUARE REALTY CORPORATION, Respondent.; G.R. Nos. 198920-21 - ST. FRANCIS SQUARE REALTY CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. MALAYAN INSURANCE COMPANY, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224588, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RODEL BELMONTE Y SAA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 222837, July 23, 2018 - MACARIO LIM GAW, JR., Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 216748, July 25, 2018 - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Petitioner, v. NIXON Q. DELA TORRE, BENHUR Q. DELA TORRE, QUINTIN DELA TORRE (DECEASED), REPRESENTED BY HIS WIFE CATALINA DELA TORRE AND HIS CHILDREN STELLA T. NAGDALE, DWIGHT DELA TORRE, VIVIAN T. SUPANGCO, NIXON DELA TORRE AND BENHUR DELA TORRE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 221427, July 30, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALVIN J. LABAGALA AND ROMEO LABAGALA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. MTJ-16-1879 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 14-2719-MTJ), July 24, 2018 - ANONYMOUS, Complainant, v. JUDGE BILL D. BUYUCAN, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURT, BAGABAG-DIADI, NUEVA VIZCAYA, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 10555, July 31, 2018 - EVELYN T. GOOPIO, Complainant, v. ATTY. ARIEL D. MAGLALANG, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 12005, July 23, 2018 - ACHERNAR B. TABUZO, Complainant, v. ATTY. JOSE ALFONSO M. GOMOS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225605, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. VENERANDO GOZO Y VELASQUEZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 222337, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. SHERNIEL UNGRIANO ASCARRAGA A.K.A.SERGIO ONGRIANO ASCARRAGA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 210838, July 03, 2018 - DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 203249, July 23, 2018 - SAN ROQUE POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 191495, July 23, 2018 - NIPPON EXPRESS (PHILIPPINES) CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 192223, July 23, 2018 - DANILO A. LIHAYLIHAY, Petitioner, v. THE TREASURER OF THE PHILIPPINES ROBERTO C. TAN, SECRETARY OF FINANCE MARGARITO B. TEVES, SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND THE GOVERNOR OF BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS (BSP), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 210204, July 10, 2018 - ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED COURT OF APPEALS JUSTICES, INC. (ARCAJI), REPRESENTED BY TEODORO P. REGINO, Petitioner, v. HON. FLORENCIO ABAD, JR., AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222964, July 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CAJETO CABILIDA, JR. Y CANDAWAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 189723, July 11, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. ALAMINOS ICE PLANT AND COLD STORAGE, INC., REPRESENTED BY SAMUEL C. CHUA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 199162, July 04, 2018 - PHIL-MAN MARINE AGENCY, INC., AND DOHLE (10M) LIMITED, Petitioners, v. ANIANO P. DEDACE, JR., SUBSTITUTED BY HIS SPOUSE LUCENA CAJES DEDACE, FOR AND IN BEHALF OF THEIR THREE [3] CHILDREN, NAMELY, ANGELICA, ANGELO AND STEVE MAC, ALL SURNAMED DEDACE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 195905, July 04, 2018 - THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF BAGUIO REPRESENTED BY MAURICIO G. DOMOGAN, CITY MAYOR, CITY BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE OFFICE REPRESENTED BY OSCAR FLORES, AND PUBLIC ORDER AND SAFETY DIVISION REPRESENTED BY FERNANDO MOYAEN AND CITY DEMOLITION TEAM REPRESENTED BY NAZITA BA�EZ, Petitioners, v. ATTY. BRAIN MASWENG, REGIONAL HEARING OFFICER-NATIONAL COMMISSION ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLES-CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, MAGDALENA GUMANGAN, MARION T. POOL, LOURDES C. HERMOGENO, JOSEPH LEGASPI, JOSEPH BASATAN, MARCELINO BASATAN, JOSEPHINE LEGASPI, LANSIGAN BAWAS, ALEXANDER AMPAGUEY, JULIO DALUYEN, SR., CONCEPCION PADANG AND CARMEN PANAYO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 226392, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. NESTOR "TONY" CALIAO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 206725, July 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ESMAEL GERVERO, FLORENCIO ARBOLONIO, DANILO CASTIGADOR, CELSO SOLOMON AND EDUARDO BA�ES, Accused.; ESMAEL GERVERO (DECEASED), DANILO CASTIGADOR, CELSO SOLOMON AND EDUARDO BA�ES, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 229861, July 02, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FRANCISCO EJERCITO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 225590, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MICHAEL CABUHAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234608, July 03, 2018 - ARVIN R. BALAG, Petitioner, v. SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES, SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ORDER AND DANGEROUS DRUGS, SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS, SENATE COMMITTEE ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND REVISION OF CODES AND MGEN. JOSE V. BALAJADIA, JR. (RET.) IN HIS CAPACITY AS SENATE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 219582, July 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BENITO PALARAS Y LAPU-OS, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 224293, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALLAN LUMAGUI Y MALIGID, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 237804, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MERCINDO BOBOTIOK, JR. Y LONTOC, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 202129, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EVELYN PATRICIO Y CASTILLO, ALIAS "NINGNAY", Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. Nos. 212761-62, July 31, 2018 - SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA, Petitioner, v. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, HON. SANDIGANBAYAN, FIELD INVESTIGATION OFFICE, OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, AND ATTY. LEVITO D. BALIGOD, Respondents.; G.R. NOS. 213473-74 - JOHN RAYMUND DE ASIS, Petitioner, v. CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND SANDIGANBAYAN, FIFTH DIVISION, Respondents.; G.R. NOS. 213538-39 - JANET LIM NAPOLES, Petitioner, v. CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND SANDIGANBAYAN, FIFTH DIVISION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 218232, July 24, 2018 - RAMON "BONG" B. REVILLA, JR., Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION) AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.; G.R. No. 218235 - RICHARD A. CAMBE, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AND OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondents.; G.R. No. 218266 - JANET LIM NAPOLES, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES, IN HER CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.; G.R. No. 218903 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION), RAMON "BONG" B. REVILLA, JR., AND RICHARD A. CAMBE, Respondents.; G.R. No. 219162 - RAMON "BONG" B. REVILLA, JR., Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIRST DIVISION) AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205688, July 04, 2018 - VALENTINO S. LINGAT AND APRONIANO ALTOVEROS, Petitioners, v. COCA-COLA BOTTLERS PHILIPPINES, INC., MONTE DAPPLES TRADING, AND DAVID LYONS,* Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220492, July 11, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. CCC, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 237721, July 31, 2018 - IN RE: CORRECTION/ADJUSTMENT OF PENALTY PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10951, IN RELATION TO HERNAN V. SANDIGANBAYAN � ROLANDO ELBANBUENA Y MARFIL, Petitioner.

  • G.R. No. 234160, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALJON GUADA�A Y ANTIQUERA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. Nos. 230950-51, July 23, 2018 - ELPIDIO TAGAAN MAGANTE, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN, (THIRD DIVISION) AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 226405, July 23, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. EFREN BONGAIS, HOUSING AND HOMESITE REGULATION OFFICER IV, CITY HOUSING AND SETTLEMENTS OFFICE, CALAMBA CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229826, July 30, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. PATRICIA CABRELLOS Y DELA CRUZ, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 225332, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOEL JAIME ALIAS "TORNING," Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 232891, July 23, 2018 - LAMBERTO MARI�AS Y FERNANDO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225322, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RONELO BERMUDO Y MARCELLANO, ROMMEL BERMUDO Y CAPISTRANO AND ROLANDO BERMUDO Y CAPISTRANO, ACCUSED, ROMMEL BERMUDO Y CAPISTRANO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 224678, July 03, 2018 - SPOUSES JOSE MANUEL AND MARIA ESPERANZA RIDRUEJO STILIANOPOULOS, Petitioners, v. THE REGISTER OF DEEDS FOR LEGAZPI CITY AND THE NATIONAL TREASURER, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 233477, July 30, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOWIE ALLINGAG Y TORRES AND ELIZABETH ALLINGAG Y TORRES, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 216999, July 04, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. RONALD M. COSALAN, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 8854, July 03, 2018 - JULIETA DIMAYUGA, Complainant, v. ATTY. VIVIAN G. RUBIA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 235652, July 09, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. XXX AND YYY,* Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 221684, July 30, 2018 - MARIA T. CALMA, Petitioner, v. MARILU C. TURLA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 235498, July 30, 2018 - RENALYN A. MASBATE AND SPOUSES RENATO MASBATE AND MARLYN MASBATE, Petitioners, v. RICKY JAMES RELUCIO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221624, July 04, 2018 - NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. MA. MAGDALENA LOURDES LACSON-DE LEON, MA. ELIZABETH JOSEPHINE L. DE LEON, RAMON LUIS EUGENIO L. DE LEON, MA. TERESA CECILIA L. DE LEON, MA. BARBARA KATHLEEN L. DE LEON, MARY GRACE HELENE L. DE LEON, JOSE MARIA LEANDRO L. DE LEON, MA. MARGARETHE ROSE OLSON, AND HILDEGARDE MARIE OLSON, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 231130, July 09, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GERALD TAMAYO CORDOVA AND MARCIAL DAYON EGUISO, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 226013, July 02, 2018 - LUZVIMINDA DELA CRUZ MORISONO, Petitioner, v. RYOJI* MORISONO AND LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF QUEZON CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 202275, July 17, 2018 - THE PROVINCIAL BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (PBOAP), THE SOUTHERN LUZON BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION, INC. (SO-LUBOA), THE INTER CITY BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (INTERBOA), AND THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE BUS OPERATORS ASSOCIATION (CSJDMBOA), Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) AND LAND TRANSPORTATION FRANCHISING AND REGULATORY BOARD (LTFRB), Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 8962, July 09, 2018 - JILDO A. GUBATON, Complainant, v. ATTY. AUGUSTUS SERAFIN D. AMADOR, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229920, July 04, 2018 - SAMUEL MAMARIL, Petitioner, v. THE RED SYSTEM COMPANY, INC., DANILO PADRIGON, AGNES TUNPALAN, ALEJANDRO ALVAREZ, JODERICK LOZANO, ENRIQUE ROMMEL MIRAFLORES, DOMINGO RIVERO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 232624, July 09, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RENATO CARI�O Y GOCONG AND ALVIN AQUINO Y RAGAM*, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 189800, July 09, 2018 - PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, Petitioner, v. HON. MA. MERCEDITAS GUTIERREZ, IN HER CAPACITY AS OMBUDSMAN, RENATO D. TAYAG, ISMAEL REINOSO, JUAN TRIVINO, JUAN PONCE ENRILE, MARIO ORTIZ, GENEROSO TANSECO, FAUSTINO SY CHANGCO, VICENTE ABAD SANTOS, EUSEBIO VILLATUYA, MANUEL MORALES, JOSE RO�O, TROADIO T. QUIAZON, RUBEN ANCHETA, FERNANDO MARAMAG, JR., GERONIMO VELASCO, EDGARDO L. TORDESILLAS, JAIME C. LAYA, GERARDO P. SICAT, ARTURO R. TANCO, JR., PLACIDO L. MAPA, JR., PANFILO DOMINGO, VICTORINO L. OJEDA, TEODORO DE VERA, ALEJANDRO LUKBAN, JR., ROMEO TAN, LUIS RECATO, BENITO S. DYCHIAO, ELPIDIO M. BORJA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225199, July 09, 2018 - ALLIED BANKING CORPORATION (NOW PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK), Petitioner, v. EDUARDO DE GUZMAN, SR., IN HIS CAPACITY AS SURETY TO THE VARIOUS CREDIT ACCOMMODATIONS GRANTED TO YESON INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC., Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 12062, July 02, 2018 - HEIR OF HERMINIGILDO* A. UNITE, REPRESENTED BY HIS SOLE HEIR, FLORENTINO S. UNITE, Complainant, v. ATTY. RAYMUND P. GUZMAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 200712, July 04, 2018 - MARIO A. ABUDA, RODOLFO DEL REMEDIOS, EDWARDO DEL REMEDIOS, RODOLFO L. ZAMORA, DIONISIO ADLAWAN, ELPIDIO GARCIA, JR., ROGELIO ZAMORA, SR., JIMMY TORRES, POLICARPIO OBANEL, JOSE FERNANDO, JOHNNY BETACHE, JAYSON GARCIA, EDWIN ESPE, NEMENCIO CRUZ, LARRY ABANES, ROLANDO SALEN, JOSEPH TORRES, FRANCISCO LIM, ARNALDO GARCIA, WILFREDO BRONOLA, GLENN MORAN, JOSE GONZALES, ROGER MARTINEZ, JAIME CAPELLAN, RICHARD ORING, JEREMIAS CAPELLAN, ARNEL CAPELLAN, MELCHOR CAPELLAN, ROLLY PUGOY, JOEY GADONES, ARIES CATIANG, LEONEL LATUGA, CAPILLAN, Petitioners, v. L. NATIVIDAD POULTRY FARMS, JULIANA NATIVIDAD, AND MERLINDA NATIVIDAD, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 220898, July 23, 2018 - MON C. ANUAT, Petitioner, v. PACIFIC OCEAN MANNING, INC./TRAS STAR SHIPPING AGENCY CORPORATION, MASSOEL MERIDIAN LTD. AND/OR HERNANDO S. EUSEBIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225803, July 02, 2018 - SHERYLL R. CABA�AS, Petitioner, v. ABELARDO G. LUZANO LAW OFFICE/ABELARDO G. LUZANO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 233542, July 09, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. FIDEL G. LAGUERTA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 11185 [Formerly CBD No. 12-3619], July 04, 2018 - JAIME S. DE BORJA, Complainant, v. ATTY. RAMON R. MENDEZ, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 227147, July 30, 2018 - RADIOWEALTH FINANCE COMPANY, INC., Petitioner, v. ALFONSO O. PINEDA, JR., AND JOSEPHINE C. PINEDA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 204361, July 04, 2018 - CECILIA T. JAVELOSA, REPRESENTED BY HER ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, MA. DIANA J. JIMENEZ, Petitioner, v. EZEQUIEL TAPUS, MARIO MADRIAGA, DANNY M. TAPUZ,1 JUANITA TAPUS AND AURORA MADRIAGA, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 222436, July 23, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. EURO-PHILIPPINES AIRLINE SERVICES, INC., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233974, July 02, 2018 - CATALINA F. ISLA, ELIZABETH ISLA, AND GILBERT F. ISLA, Petitioners, v. GENEVIRA P. ESTORGA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214794, July 23, 2018 - NARCISO VICTORIANO, Petitioner, v. JUNIPER DOMINGUEZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224972, July 09, 2018 - NG CHING TING, Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE BUSINESS BANK, INC. Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 234154, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JERRY ARBUIS Y COMPRADO A.K.A. "ONTET", Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 229955, July 23, 2018 - MELCHOR BARCENAS DEOCARIZA, Petitioner, v. FLEET MANAGEMENT SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC., MODERN ASIA SHIPPING CORPORATION, A.B.F. GAVIOLA, JR., AND MA. CORAZON CRUZ, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 197831, July 09, 2018 - PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK, Petitioner, v. SPOUSES ANGEL AND BUENVENIDA ANAY, AND SPOUSES FRANCISCO AND DOLORES LEE, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209166, July 09, 2018 - DEMETRIO ELLAO Y DELA VEGA, Petitioner, v. BATANGAS I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BATELEC I), RAQUEL ROWENA RODRIGUEZ BOARD PRESIDENT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 223125, July 11, 2018 - IBM DAKSH BUSINESS PROCESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC. (NOW KNOWN AS CONCENTRIX DAKSH BUSINESS PROCESS SERVICES PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ROSALLIE S. RIBAS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228503, July 25, 2018 - HEIRS OF RAMON ARCE, SR., Petitioners, v. DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY VIRGILIO DELOS REYES, Respondent.

  • G.R. Nos. 231655 and 231670, July 02, 2018 - FELISA AGRICULTURAL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (HAVING BEEN SUBSTITUTED IN LIEU OF THE NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 209289, July 09, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. THE SECRETARY OF JUSTICE AND METROPOLITAN CEBU WATER DISTRICT (MCWD), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 217744, July 30, 2018 - JOSE Z. MORENO, Petitioner, v. RENE M. KAHN, CONSUELO MORENO KAHN-HAIRE, RENE LUIS PIERRE KAHN, PHILIPPE KAHN, MA. CLAUDINE KAHN MCMAHON, AND THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF MUNTINLUPA CITY, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 232275, July 23, 2018 - SOLPIA MARINE AND SHIP MANAGEMENT, INC., Petitioner, v. MICHAEL V. POSTRANO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233033, July 23, 2018 - ROMEO IGDALINO AND ROSITA IGDALINO, Petitioners, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197624, July 23, 2018 - ABACUS CAPITAL AND INVESTMENT CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. DR. ERNESTO G. TABUJARA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210286, July 23, 2018 - WELBIT CONSTRUCTION CORP., WACK WACK CONDOMINIUM CORP., AND SPOUSES EUGENIO JUAN GONZALEZ AND MATILDE GONZALEZ, Petitioners, v. HEIRS OF CRESENCIANO C. DE CASTRO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 211450, July 23, 2018 - OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Petitioner, v. LOVING F. FETALVERO, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 222710, July 24, 2018 - PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO, DIRECTOR JOSEPH B. ANACAY AND SUPERVISING AUDITOR ELENA L. AGUSTIN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 203217, July 02, 2018 - JOSE L. DIAZ, Petitioner, v. THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 224015, July 23, 2018 - STEPHEN I. JUEGO-SAKAI, Petitioner, v. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 5473, July 03, 2018 - GENE M. DOMINGO, Complainant, v. ATTY. ANASTACIO E. REVILLA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 207040, July 04, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. SHELDON ALCANTARA Y LI, JUNNELYN ILLO Y YAN, NATIVIDAD ZULUETA Y YALDUA, MA. REYNA OCAMPO Y CRUZ, MAILA TO Y MOVILLON, MA. VICTORIA GONZALES Y DEDIOS, ELENA PASCUAL Y ROQUE, MARY ANGELIN ROMERO Y BISNAR AND NOEMI VILLEGAS Y BATHAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205294, July 04, 2018 - ELMER P. LEE, Petitioner, v. ESTELA V. SALES, DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LEGAL AND INSPECTION GROUP; EFREN P. MARTINEZ, CHIEF PERSONNEL INQUIRY DIVISION; NESTOR S. VALEROSO, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, REVENUE REGION NO. 8; AND ALL OF THE BIR AND ALL PERSONS ACTING ON THEIR ORDERS OR BEHALF, Respondents.

  • A.M. No. 17-07-05-SC, July 03, 2018 - RE: MEMORANDUM DATED JULY 10, 2017 FROM ASSOCIATE JUSTICE TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO; A.M. No. 18-02-13-SC - RE: LETTER OF RESIGNATION OF ATTY. BRENDA JAY ANGELES MENDOZA, PHILJA CHIEF OF OFFICE FOR THE PHILIPPINE MEDIATION CENTER

  • G.R. No. 225896, July 23, 2018 - CARMEN ALEDRO-RU�A, Petitioner, v. LEAD EXPORT AND AGRO-DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 229192, July 23, 2018 - MAGSAYSAY MOL MARINE,INC. AND/OR MOL SHIP MANAGEMENT (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD., Petitioners, v. MICHAEL PADERES ATRAJE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 232272, July 24, 2018 - SECRETARY MARIO G. MONTEJO, IN HIS CAPACITY AS SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST), Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT (COA), AND THE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SECTOR, CLUSTER B - GENERAL PUBLIC SERVICES II AND DEFENSE, COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 227388, July 23, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. MARIA THERESA MANAHAN-JAZMINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 232395, July 03, 2018 - PEDRO S. AGCAOILI, JR., ENCARNACION A. GAOR, JOSEPHINE P. CALAJATE, GENEDINE D. JAMBARO, EDEN C. BATTULAYAN, EVANGELINE C. TABULOG, Petitioners, MARIA IMELDA JOSEFA "IMEE" R. MARCOS, Co-Petitioner, v. THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE RODOLFO C. FARI�AS, THE HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVE JOHNNY T. PIMENTEL, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, AND LT. GEN. ROLAND DETABALI (RET.), IN HIS CAPACITY AS SERGEANT-AT-ARMS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Respondents, THE COMMITTEE ON GOOD GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, Co-Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11724 (Formerly CBD No. 14-4109), July 31, 2018 - HDI HOLDINGS PHILIPPINES, INC., Complainant, v. ATTY. EMMANUEL N. CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 234033, July 30, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. AMADO BALUBAL Y PAGULAYAN, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 5580, July 31, 2018 - SAN JOSE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. AS REPRESENTED BY REBECCA V. LABRADOR, Complainant, v. ATTY. ROBERTO B. ROMANILLOS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219774, July 23, 2018 - MANILA HOTEL CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. ROSITA DE LEON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 178696, July 30, 2018 - BANGKO SENTRAL NG PILIPINAS AND ITS MONETARY BOARD, Petitioners, v. BANCO FILIPINO SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE BANK, Respondent.; G.R. No. 192607 - BANCO FILIPINO SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE BANK, Petitioner, v. CENTRAL BANK BOARD OF LIQUIDATORS, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217682, July 17, 2018 - JOSE "JINGGOY" P. EJERCITO ESTRADA AND MA. PRESENTACION VITUG EJERCITO, Petitioners, v. SANDIGANBAYAN (FIFTH DIVISION); ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COUNCIL, REPRESENTED BY ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JULIA C. BACAY-ABAD; AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 230107, July 24, 2018 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOTR), MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY (MARINA), AND PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD (PCG), Petitioners, v. PHILIPPINE PETROLEUM SEA TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION, HERMA SHIPPING TRANSPORT CORPORATION, ISLAS TANKERS SEATRANSPORT CORPORATION, MIS MARITIME CORPORATION, PETROLIFT, INC., GOLDEN ALBATROSS SHIPPING CORPORATION, VIA MARINE CORPORATION, AND CARGOMARINE CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • A.C. No. 12012, July 02, 2018 - GERONIMO J. JIMENO, JR., Complainant, v. ATTY. FLORDELIZA M. JIMENO, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 225059, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. XXX*, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. RTJ-17-2491 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 10-3448-RTJ), July 04, 2018 - LUCIO L. YU, JR., Complainant, v. PRESIDING JUDGE JESUS B. MUPAS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 112, PASAY CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 220949, July 23, 2018 - RICKMERS MARINE AGENCY PHILS., INC., GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED AND/OR GEORGE C. GUERRERO, Petitioners, v. EDMUND R. SAN JOSE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 219291, July 04, 2018 - MICHAEL V. RACION, Petitioner, v. MST MARINE SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC., ALFONSO RANJO DEL CASTILLO AND/OR THOME SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE. LTD., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 223155, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DANILO JAPAG AND ALVIN LIPORADA, Accused; DANILO JAPAG, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 227738, July 23, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JACINTO ANDES Y LORILLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 227216, July 04, 2018 - YIALOS MANNING SERVICES, INC., OVERSEAS SHIPMANAGEMENT S.A., RAUL VICENTE PEREZ, AND MINERVA ALFONSO, Petitioners, v. RAMIL G. BORJA, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 218914, July 30, 2018 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. HENRY DE VERA Y MEDINA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.C. No. 12044, July 23, 2018 - MARTIN J. SIOSON, Complainant, v. ATTY. DIONISIO B. APOYA, JR., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 212786, July 30, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, REPRESENTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS (DPWH), Petitioner, v. ESTRELLA R. DECENA, MARIETA DECENA BRAZIL, NOLAND D. BRAZIL, HEIRS OF EDITA R. DECENA, AS REPRESENTED BY VIRGILIO C. BRAZIL, SR., Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 229153, July 09, 2018 - EDILBERTO R. PALERACIO, Petitioner, v. SEALANES MARINE SERVICES, INC., SPLIETHOFF GROUP MANILA, INC. AND/OR CHRISTOPHER DINO C. DUMATOL AND CAPT. RUBEN AGMATA, Respondents.

  • G.R. Nos. 206438 and 206458, July 31, 2018 - CESAR MATAS CAGANG, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN, FIFTH DIVISION, QUEZON CITY; OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN; AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents; G.R. Nos. 210141-42 - CESAR MATAS CAGANG, Petitioner, v. SANDIGANBAYAN, FIFTH DIVISION, QUEZON CITY; OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN; AND PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 205698, July 31, 2018 - HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (HDMF) PAG-IBIG FUND, Petitioner, v. CHRISTINA SAGUN, Respondent; G.R. No. 205780 - DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, REP. BY SEC. LEILA DE LIMA, STATE PROSECUTOR THEODORE M. VILLANUEVA, AND PROSECUTOR GENERAL CLARO A. ARELLANO, AND THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI), Petitioners, v. CHRISTINA SAGUN, Respondent; G.R. No. 208744 - DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Petitioner, v. DELFIN S. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 209424 - HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (HDMF), Petitioner, v. GLOBE ASIATIQUE REALTY HOLDINGS CORPORATION, DELFIN S. LEE, IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CORPORATION, AND TESSIE G. WANG, Respondents; G.R. No. 209446 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. ALEX M. ALVAREZ, Respondent; G.R. No. 209489 - HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, Petitioner, v. ATTY. ALEX M. ALVAREZ, Respondent; G.R. No. 209852 - HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND, (HDMF), Petitioner, v. DELFIN S. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 210095 - DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Petitioner, v. DELFIN S. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 210143 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES PETITIONER, VS. DELFIN S. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 228452 - HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (HDMF), Petitioner, v. DEXTER L. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 228730 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. DEXTER L. LEE, Respondent; G.R. No. 230680 -CRISTINA SALAGAN, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES AND HOME DEVELOPMENT MUTUAL FUND (HDMF), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 236629, July 23, 2018 - REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. LIBERATO P. MOLA CRUZ, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 197945, July 09, 2018 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION, Respondent; G.R. Nos. 204119-20 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, Petitioner, v. PILIPINAS SHELL PETROLEUM CORPORATION AND PETRON CORPORATION, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 208004, July 30, 2018 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. PRADO VERDE CORPORATION, Respondent; G.R. No. 208112 - PRADO VERDE CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent; G.R. No. 210243 - LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES, Petitioner, v. PRADO VERDE CORPORATION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233572, July 30, 2018 - ALFREDO A. RAMOS, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233572, July 30, 2018 - ALFREDO A. RAMOS, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.