Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence


Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 2019 > January 2019 Decisions > G.R. No. 239471 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. JOSEPH CINCO ARCIAGA A.K.A. "JOSEPHUS CINCO ARCIAGA," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.:




G.R. No. 239471 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. JOSEPH CINCO ARCIAGA A.K.A. "JOSEPHUS CINCO ARCIAGA," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

SECOND DIVISION

G.R. No. 239471, January 14, 2019

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. JOSEPH CINCO ARCIAGA A.K.A. "JOSEPHUS CINCO ARCIAGA," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

D E C I S I O N

PERLAS-BERNABE, J.:

This is an ordinary appeal1 from the Decision2 dated January 29, 2018 of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 02215, which affirmed the Omnibus Decision3 dated August 10, 2015 of the Regional Trial Court of Cebu City, Branch 57 (RTC) in Criminal Case Nos. CBU- 96423 and CBU-96424, finding accused-appellant Joseph Cinco Arciaga a.k.a. "Josephus Cinco Arciaga" (Arciaga) guilty beyond reasonable doubt for violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. (R.A.) 9165,4 otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002."

The Facts

This case stemmed from two (2) Informations5 filed before the RTC charging Arciaga with the crimes of Illegal Sale and Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs, respectively defined and penalized under Sections 5 and 11, Article II of RA 9165. The prosecution alleged that at around four (4) o'clock in the afternoon of June 26, 2012, a team of officers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 7 (PDEA-RO 7) conducted a buy-bust operation against Arciaga at his house, during which one (1) heat-sealed plastic sachet containing suspected shabu weighing 0.03 gram was recovered from him. Consequently, a search incidental to his arrest yielded three (3) more heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 0.04 gram each. As the team noticed that a crowd was already forming outside Arciaga's house, they, together with Arciaga, proceeded to the PDEA-RO 7 Office where the seized items were marked, photographed, and inventoried6 in the presence of Barangay Captain Jerome B. Lim and media personnel Virgilio T. Salde, Jr. of DYMF Bombo Radyo. Thereafter, the seized items were brought to the crime laboratory for examination and tested positive7 for Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or shabu, a dangerous drug.8

For his part, Arciaga denied the charges against him and claimed that on the said date, he was taking a nap at the second floor of his house when suddenly, several armed men barged inside. Upon seeing him, the armed men ordered him to lie face down on the floor, handcuffed him, and searched his body, as well as his house. When the armed men did not find anything, he was then taken to the PDEA-RO 7 Office.9

In an Omnibus Decision10 dated August 10, 2015, the RTC found Arciaga guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crimes charged, and accordingly, sentenced him as follows: (a) In Criminal Case No. CBU- 96423, to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of P500,000.00; and (b) in Criminal Case No. CBU-96424, to suffer the penalty of imprisonment for an indeterminate period of twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and one (1) month, and to pay a fine of P300,000.00.11 The RTC found that the prosecution sufficiently established all the elements of the aforesaid crimes as it was able to prove that: (a) Arciaga indeed sold a plastic sachet containing shabu to the poseur-buyer during a legitimate buy-bust operation; and (b) subsequent to his arrest, more plastic sachets containing shabu were recovered from him. The RTC further observed that the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items had been preserved, considering that the buy-bust team sufficiently complied with the chain of custody rule.12

In a Decision13 dated January 29, 2018, the CA affirmed the RTC ruling, holding that all the elements of the crimes of Illegal Sale and Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drug were present and that the chain of custody rule was duly complied with.14

Hence, this appeal seeking that Arciaga's conviction be overturned.

The Court's Ruling

The appeal is meritorious.

In cases for Illegal Sale and/or Possession of Dangerous Drugs under RA 9165,15 it is essential that the identity of the dangerous drug be established with moral certainty, considering that the dangerous drug itself forms an integral part of the corpus delicti of the crime.16 Failing to prove the integrity of the corpus delicti renders the evidence for the State insufficient to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt and hence, warrants an acquittal.17

To establish the identity of the dangerous drug with moral certainty, the prosecution must be able to account for each link of the chain of custody from the moment the drugs are seized up to their presentation in court as evidence of the crime.18 As part of the chain of custody procedure, the law requires, inter alia, that the marking, physical inventory, and photography of the seized items be conducted immediately after seizure and confiscation of the same. It is well to clarify, however, that under Section 21 (a), Article II of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9165, which was later adopted into the text of RA 10640,19 the foregoing procedures may instead be conducted at the place where the arrest or seizure occurred, at the nearest police station or at the nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is practicable, in instances of warrantless seizures � such as in buy-bust operations. In fact, case law recognizes that "marking upon immediate confiscation contemplates even marking at the nearest police station or office of the apprehending team."20 Hence, the failure to immediately mark the confiscated items at the place of arrest neither renders them inadmissible in evidence nor impairs the integrity of the seized drugs, as the conduct of marking at the nearest police station or office of the apprehending team is sufficient compliance with the rules on chain of custody.21

The law further requires that the said inventory and photography be done in the presence of the accused or the person from whom the items were seized, or his representative or counsel, as well as certain required witnesses, namely: (a) if prior to the amendment of RA 9165 by RA 10640,22 "a representative from the media AND the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any elected public official";23 or (b) if after the amendment of RA 9165 by RA 10640, "[a]n elected public official and a representative of the National Prosecution Service (NPS) OR the media."24 The law requires the presence of these witnesses primarily "to ensure the establishment of the chain of custody and remove any suspicion of switching, planting, or contamination of evidence."25

As a general rule, compliance with the chain of custody procedure is strictly enjoined as the same has been regarded "not merely as a procedural technicality but as a matter of substantive law."26 This is because "[t]he law has been crafted by Congress as safety precautions to address potential police abuses, especially considering that the penalty imposed may be life imprisonment."27

Nonetheless, the Court has recognized that due to varying field conditions, strict compliance with the chain of custody procedure may not always be possible.28 As such, the failure of the apprehending team to strictly comply with the same would not ipso facto render the seizure and custody over the items as void and invalid, provided that the prosecution satisfactorily proves that: (a) there is a justifiable ground for non-compliance; and (b) the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved.29 The foregoing is based on the saving clause found in Section 21 (a),30 Article II of the IRR of RA 9165, which was adopted into the text of RA 10640.31 It should, however, be emphasized that for the saving clause to apply, the prosecution must duly explain the reasons behind the procedural lapses,32 and that the justifiable ground for non-compliance must be proven as a fact, because the Court cannot presume what these grounds are or that they even exist.33

Anent the required witnesses rule, non-compliance may be permitted if the prosecution proves that the apprehending officers exerted genuine and sufficient efforts to secure the presence of such witnesses, albeit they eventually failed to appear. While the earnestness of these efforts must be examined on a case-to-case basis, the overarching objective is for the Court to be convinced that the failure to comply was reasonable under the given circumstances.34 Thus, mee statements of unavailability, absent actual serious attempts to contact the required witnesses, are unacceptable as justified grounds for non-compliance.35 These considerations arise from the fact that police officers are ordinarily given sufficient time � beginning from the moment they have received the information about the activities of the accused until the time of his arrest � to prepare for a buy-bust operation and consequently, make the necessary arrangements beforehand, knowing fully well that they would have to strictly comply with the chain of custody rule.36

Notably, the Court, in People v. Miranda,37 issued a definitive reminder to prosecutors when dealing with drugs cases. It implored that "[since] the [procedural] requirements are clearly set forth in the law, the State retains the positive duty to account for any lapses in the chain of custody of the drugs/items seized from the accused, regardless of whether or not the defense raises the same in the proceedings a quo; otherwise, it risks the possibility of having a conviction overturned on grounds that go into the evidence's integrity and evidentiary value, albeit the same are raised only for the first time on appeal, or even not raised, become apparent upon further review."38

In this case, while the Court agrees with the courts a quo that the buy-bust team was justified in conducting the marking, inventory, and photography at the PDEA-RO 7 Office due to security reasons, i.e., a crowd was already forming at the place of Arciaga's arrest, it is nevertheless apparent that, as seen in the Certificate of Inventory39 dated June 26, 2012, the inventory of the seized' items was not conducted in the presence of a DOJ representative, contrary to the afore-described procedure.40 This was confirmed by no less than the poseur-buyer, Intelligence Officer I Edd Ryan Dayuha (IO1 Dayuha), in his testimony during cross-examination, to wit:

[Atty. Ungab]: Who were the witnesses when you conducted the inventory and the markings, Mr. Witness?

[IO1 Dayuha]: There was one from the media DYMF Bombo Radyo Virgilio Salde. The barangay captain was there also but I forgot his name sir.41

Neither do the records reflect that such witness was present during the photography of the seized items, which process is usually conducted contemporaneously with the inventory thereof. As earlier stated, it is incumbent upon the prosecution to account for the absence of any of the required witnesses by presenting a justifiable reason therefor or, at the very least, by showing that genuine and sufficient efforts were exerted by the apprehending officers to secure their presence. While IO1 Dayuha implicitly acknowledged the absence of a DOJ representative during the conduct of inventory and photography, records are bereft of any reason and/or justification therefor. Thus, in view of these unjustified deviations from the chain of custody rule, the Court is constrained to conclude that the integrity and evidentiary value of the items purportedly seized from Arciaga had been compromised, which consequently warrants his acquittal.

WHEREFORE, the appeal is GRANTED. The Decision dated January 29, 2018 of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 02215 is hereby REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accordingly, accused-appellant Joseph Cinco Arciaga a.k.a. "Josephus Cinco Arciaga" is ACQUITTED of the crimes charged. The Director of the Bureau of Corrections is ordered to cause his immediate release, unless he is being lawfully held in custody for any other reason.

SO ORDERED.

Carpio, Senior Associate Justice (Chairperson), Caguioa, J. Reyes, Jr., and Hernando,*JJ., concur.

Endnotes:


* Designated Additional Member per Special Order Nos. 2629 and 2630 dated December 18, 2018.

1 See Entry of Appearance with Notice of Appeal dated March 2, 2018; rollo, p. 28-30.

2 Id. at 4-27. Penned by Associate Justice Geraldine C. Fiel-Macaraig with Associate Justices Pamela Ann Abella Maxino and Gabriel T. Robeniol, concurring.

3 CA rollo, pp. 12-22. Penned by Acting Presiding Judge James Stewart Ramon E. Himalaloan.

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

5 The Information in Criminal Case No. CBU-96423 was for Section 5, Article II of RA 9165 (see rollo, p. 5 and records, p. 1); while the Information in Criminal Case No. CBU-96424 was for Section 11, Article II of RA 9165 (see rollo, pp. 5-6).

6 See Certificate of Inventory dated June 26, 2012; records, p. 13.

7 See Chemistry Report No. D-624-2012 dated June 27, 2012; id. at 12.

8 See rollo, pp. 6-9. See also CA rollo, pp. 12-15.

9 See id. at 9-10.

10 CA rollo, pp. 12-22.

11 Id. at 21-22.

12 See id. at 18-21.

13Rollo, pp. 4-27.

14 See id. at 16-27.

15 The elements of Illegal Sale of Dangerous Drugs under Section 5, Article II of RA 9165 are: (a) the identity of the buyer and the seller, the object, and the consideration; and (b) the delivery of the thing sold and the payment; while the elements of Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs under Section 11, Article II of RA 9165 are: (a) the accused was in possession of an item or object identified as a prohibited drug; (b) such possession was not authorized by law; and (c) the accused freely and consciously possessed the said drug. (See People v. Crispo, G.R. No. 230065, March 14, 2018; People v. Sanchez, G.R. No. 231383, March 7, 2018; People v. Magsano, G.R. No. 231050, February 28, 2018; People v. Manansala, G.R. No. 229092, February 21, 2018; People v. Miranda, G.R. No. 229671, January 31, 2018; and People v. Mamangon, G.R. No. 229102, January 29, 2018; all cases citing People v. Sumili, 753 Phil. 342, 348 [2015] and People v. Bio, 753 Phil. 730, 736 [2015]).

16 See People v. Crispo, id.; People v. Sanchez, id.; People v. Magsano, id.; People v. Manansala, id.; People v. Miranda, id.; and People v. Mamangon, id. See also People v. Viterbo, 739 Phil. 593, 601 (2014).

17 See People v. Gamboa, G.R. No. 233702, June 20, 2018, citing People v. Umipang, 686 Phil. 1024, 1039-1040 (2012). See also People v. Manansala, id.

18 See People v. A�o, G.R. No. 230070, March 14, 2018; People v. Crispo, supra note 15; People v. Sanchez, supra note 15; People v. Magsano, supra note 15; People v. Manansala, id.; People v. Miranda, supra note 15; and People v. Mamangon, supra note 15. See also People v. Viterbo, supra note 16.

19 Entitled "AN ACT TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 21 OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002,"' approved on July 15, 2014.

20People v. Mamalumpon, 767 Phil. 845, 855 (2015), citing Imson v. People, 669 Phil. 262, 270-271 (2011). See also People v. Ocfemia, 718 Phil. 330, 348 (2013), citing People v. Resurreccion, 618 Phil. 520, 532 (2009).

21 See People v. Tumulak, 791 Phil. 148, 160-161 (2016); and People v. Rollo, 757 Phil. 346, 357 (2015).

22 Entitled "AN ACT TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN OF THE GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 21 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 2002,'" approved on July 15, 2014."

23 Section 21 (1) and (2), Article II of RA 9165 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

24 Section 21, Article II of RA 9165, as amended by RA 10640.

25 See People v. Mendoza, 736 Phil. 749, 764 (2014).

26 See People v. Miranda, supra note 15. See also People v. Macapundag, G.R. No. 225965, March 13, 2017, citing People v. Umipang, supra note 17, at 1038.

27 See People v. Segundo, G.R. No. 205614, July 26, 2017, citing People v. Umipang, id.

28 See People v. Sanchez, 590 Phil. 214, 234 (2008).

29 See People v. Almorfe, 631 Phil. 51, 60 (2010).

30 Section 21 (a), Article II of the IRR of RA 9165 pertinently states: "Provided, further, that non-compliance with 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 of and custody over said items."

31 Section 1 of RA 10640 pertinently states: "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."

32People v. Almorfe, supra note 29.

33People v. De Guzman, 630 Phil. 637, 649 (2010).

34 See People v. Manansala, supra note 15.

35 See People v. Gamboa, supra note 17, citing People v. Umipang, supra note 17, at 1053.

36 See People v. Crispo, supra note 15.

37 Supra note 15.

38 See id.

39 Records, p. 13.

40 To note, the buy-bust operation against Arciaga was done on June 26, 2012, or before the passage of RA 10640. As such, the inventory and photography must be witnessed by an elected public official, a media representative, AND a DOJ representative.

41 TSN, April 22, 2013, p. 14.




Back to Home | Back to Main




















chanrobles.com





ChanRobles On-Line Bar Review

ChanRobles Internet Bar Review : www.chanroblesbar.com

ChanRobles MCLE On-line

ChanRobles Lawnet Inc. - ChanRobles MCLE On-line : www.chanroblesmcleonline.com






January-2019 Jurisprudence                 

  • G.R. No. 235071, January 07, 2019 - EVANGELINE PATULOT Y GALIA, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 234156, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. EMMANUEL OLIVA Y JORJIL, BERNARDO BARANGOT Y PILAIS AND MARK ANGELO MANALASTAS Y GAPASIN, Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 234323, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JORDAN BATALLA Y AQUINO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234323, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JORDAN BATALLA Y AQUINO, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 234156 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. EMMANUEL OLIVA Y JORJIL, BERNARDO BARANGOT Y PILAIS AND MARK ANGELO MANALASTAS Y GAPASIN, ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

  • G.R. No. 234323 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. JORDAN BATALLA Y AQUINO, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 215545, January 07, 2019 - QUIRINO T. DELA CRUZ, Petitioner, v. NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 234951, January 28, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BENJAMIN A. ELIMANCIL, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 235071 - EVANGELINE PATULOT Y GALIA, PETITIONER, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 201302, January 23, 2019 - HYGIENIC PACKAGING CORPORATION, Petitioner, v. NUTRI-ASIA, INC., DOING BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME AND STYLE OF UFC PHILIPPINES (FORMERLY NUTRI-ASIA, INC.), Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228718, January 07, 2019 - EDWIN FUENTES Y GARCIA @ "KANYOD," Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 18-07-153-RTC, January 07, 2019 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF LAYDABELL G. PIJANA, SHERIFF IV, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF TAGAYTAY CITY, CAVITE, BRANCH 18

  • G.R. No. 241017, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BRENDA CAMI�AS Y AMING, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 223713, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Appellee, v. RODELINA MALAZO Y DORIA, Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 231122, January 16, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. ALEX CASEMIRO AND JOSE CATALAN, JR., Accused-Appellants.

  • A.M. No. P-16-3505 [Formerly OCA IPI No. 13-4134-P], January 22, 2019 - ZENMOND D. DUQUE, Complainant, v. . CESAR C. CALPO, COURT STENOGRAPHER III, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 16, CAVITE CITY, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 241091, January 14, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. LITO PAMING Y JAVIER, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 233883, January 07, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARK VINCENT CORRAL Y BATALLA, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 199562, January 16, 2019 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS AND ANA C. GONZALES, Petitioners, v. SPOUSES FERNANDO V. QUIAOIT PROMULGATED: AND NORA L. QUIAOIT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 238176, January 14, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. RAMON BAY-OD, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 228262, January 21, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOENIL PIN MOLDE, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 224210, January 23, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. MARYLOU GUMBAN Y CARANAY AND JOEL CHENG NG, Accused, MARYLOU GUMBAN Y CARANAY, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. 18-11-09-SC, January 22, 2019 - RE: COMPLAINT-AFFIDAVIT OF ELVIRA N. ENALBES, REBECCA H. ANGELES AND ESTELITA B. OCAMPO AGAINST FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO [RET.], RELATIVE TO G.R. NOS. 203063 AND 204743.

  • G.R. No. 229780, January 22, 2019 - BALAYAN WATER DISTRICT (BWD), CONRADO S. LOPEZ AND ROMEO D. PANTOJA, Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 221418, January 23, 2019 - JOSE T. VILLAROSA, CARLITO T. CAJAYON AND PABLO I. ALVARO, Petitioners, v. THE HONORABLE OMBUDSMAN AND ROLANDO C. BASILIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 225725, January 16, 2019 - LEPANTO CONSOLIDATED MINING COMPANY, Petitioner, v. MAXIMO C. MAMARIL, EDUARDO C. FONTIVEROS, RICHARD PADONG, SHARWIN ESPIQUE, CLARITO ALBING, BALUDOY TOTANES, GERRY OLANIO, JOSEPH DUMANGENG, REYNALD MANUIT, NARDO SINGIT, MICHAEL PANGDA, BENJAMIN ASIDERA, ALVARO PATAGUE, JR., ANGELITO NAYRE, JR., JOSE MOJICA, AND JOEL SILARAN, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209047, January 07, 2019 - ANGELA USARES Y SIBAY, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210683, January 08, 2019 - DR. CONSOLACION S. CALLANG, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 233174, January 23, 2019 - RUEL FRANCIS M. CABRAL, Petitioner, v. CHRIS S. BRACAMONTE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 210773, January 23, 2019 - GSIS FAMILY BANK EMPLOYEES UNION, REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT MS. JUDITH JOCELYN MARTINEZ, Petitioner, v. SEC. CESAR L. VILLANUEVA (IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMISSION FOR GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT), MR. EMMANUEL L. BENITEZ (IN HIS CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE GSIS FAMILY BANK), AND ATTY. GERALDINE MARIE BERBERABE-MARTINEZ (IN HER CAPACITY AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE GSIS FAMILY BANK), Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 232060, January 14, 2019 - VIRGILIA T. AQUINO, NAZARIA T. AQUINO, AVELINA A. RONQUILLO, PATROCINIO T. AQUINO, AND RAMONCITO T. NEPOMUCENO, Petitioners, v. ESTATE OF TOMAS B. AGUIRRE, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 231643, January 15, 2019 - CHRISTIAN C. HALILI, Petitioner, v. COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, PYRA LUCAS, AND CRISOSTOMO GARBO, Respondents.; G.R. No. 231657, January 15, 2019 - MARINO P. MORALES, Petitioner, v. PYRA LUCAS AND THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS, Respondents.; CHRISTIAN C. HALILI AND CRISOSTOMO GARBO, Respondents-Intervenors.

  • G.R. No. 187262, January 10, 2019 - ENGINEERING GEOSCIENCE, INC., Petitioner, v. PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 12063, January 08, 2019 - EVERDINA C. ANGELES, Complainant, v. ATTY. WILFREDO B. LINA-AC, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 217044, January 16, 2019 - SPOUSES RAINIER JOSE M. YULO AND JULIET L. YULO, Petitioners, v. BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Respondent.

  • A.C. No. 11334, January 07, 2019 - JOCELYN SORENSEN, Complainant, v. ATTY. FLORITO T. POZON, Respondent.; A.C. NO. 11335, January 07, 2019 - JOCELYN SORENSEN, Complainant, v. ATTY. FLORITO T. POZON, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 230566, January 22, 2019 - SUBIC BAY METROPOLITAN AUTHORITY, ET AL., Petitioners, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 228953, January 28, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. JOSH JOE T. SAHIBIL, Accused-Appellant.

  • G.R. No. 215904, January 10, 2019 - EDGAR L. TORILLOS, Petitioner, v. EASTGATE MARITIME CORPORATION, F.J. LINES, INC., PANAMA, AND EMMANUEL L. REGIO, Respondents.; G.R. No. 216165, January 10, 2019 - EASTGATE MARITIME CORPORATION, F.J. LINES, INC., PANAMA, AND EMMANUEL L. REGIO, Petitioners, v. EDGAR L. TORILLOS,, Respondent.

  • A.M. No. 2014-16-SC, January 15, 2019 - RE: COMPLAINT AGAINST MR. RAMDEL REY M. DE LEON, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT III, OFFICE OF ASSOCIATE JUSTICE JOSE P. PEREZ, ON THE ALLEGED DISHONESTY AND DECEIT IN SOLICITING MONEY FOR INVESTMENTS

  • A.M. No. P-18-3791 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 15-4447-P), January 29, 2019 - MILAGROS P. MALUBAY, LEGAL RESEARCHER II, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 270, VALENZUELA CITY, Complainant, v. HONORIO RAUL C. GUEVARA, CLERK III, SAME COURT., Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 193534, January 30, 2019 - SPOUSES MANUEL AND EVELYN TIO, Petitioners, v. BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Respondents.; G.R. No. 194091, January 30, 2019 - BANK OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Petitioner, v. GOLDSTAR MILLING CORPORATION AND/OR SPOUSES MANUEL AND EVELYN TIO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 234528, January 23, 2019 - ISIDRO MIRANDA Y PARELASIO, Petitioner, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 214906, January 16, 2019 - ABOSTA SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP., CIDO SHIPPING COMPANY LTD., AND ALEX S. ESTABILLO, Petitioners, v. DANTE C. SEGUI, Respondent.

  • G.R. No. 232806, January 21, 2019 - EDGARDO M. AGUILAR, Petitioner, v. ELVIRA J. BENLOT AND SAMUEL L. CUICO, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 209116, January 14, 2019 - DANNY BOY C. MONTERONA, JOSELITO S. ALVAREZ, IGNACIO S. SAMSON, JOEY P. OCAMPO, ROLE R. DEMETRIO,* AND ELPIDIO P. METRE, JR.,** Petitioners, v. COCA-COLA BOTTLERS PHILIPPINES, INC. AND GIOVANNI ACORDA,*** Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 240541, January 21, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. REY BARRION Y SILVA, Accused-Appellant.

  • A.M. No. 18-08-69-MTC, January 21, 2019 - RE: DROPPING FROM THE ROLLS OF MR. STEVERIL* J. JABONETE, JR., JUNIOR PROCESS SERVER, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT PONTEVEDRA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL.

  • G.R. No. 226578, January 28, 2019 - AUGUSTIN INTERNATIONAL CENTER, INC., Petitioner, v. ELFRENITO B. BARTOLOME AND RUMBY L. YAMAT, Respondents.

  • G.R. No. 233336, January 14, 2019 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. DON EMILIO CARI�O Y AGUSTIN A.K.A. "DON EMILIO CARI�O AGUSTIN," Accused-Appellants.

  • G.R. No. 211289 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PETITIONER, v. LA FLOR DELA ISABELA, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 239471 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. JOSEPH CINCO ARCIAGA A.K.A. "JOSEPHUS CINCO ARCIAGA," ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • A.M. No. P-19-3911 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 13-4159-P) - RURAL BANK OF TALISAY (CEBU), INC., REPRESENTED BY ITS PRESIDENT, ADELE V. VILLO, COMPLAINANT, v. MANUEL H. GIMENO, SHERIFF IV, BRANCH 19, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, CEBU CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 213323 - TERESITA S. LAZARO, DENNIS S. LAZARO, MARIETA V. JARA, ANTONIO P. RELOVA, GILBERTO R. MONDEZ, PABLO V. DEL MUNDO, JR., AND ALSANEO F. LAGOS, PETITIONERS, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF COA REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A, AND COA AUDIT TEAM LEADER, PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, RESPONDENTS. [G.R. No. 213324, January 22, 2019] EVELYN T. VILLANUEVA, PROVINCIAL ACCOUNTANT OF THE PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, PETITIONER, v. COMMISSION ON AUDIT, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 205282 - STEAG STATE POWER, INC. (FORMERLY STATE POWER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION), PETITIONER, v. COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 211829 - JACINTO J. BAGAPORO, PETITIONER, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • A.M. No. P-19-3925 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 16-4635-P) - ASUNCION Y. ARI�OLA, COMPLAINANT, v. ANGELES D. ALMODIEL, JR., INTERPRETER II, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES, MASBATE CITY, MASBATE, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 239521 - PRIMO A. MINA, FELIX BE VERA, POMPEYO MAGALI, BERNADETTE AMOR AND PURIFICACION DELA CRUZ, PETITIONERS, v. THE COURT OF APPEALS AND RODOLFO C. TANDOC, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 238865 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. BILLY ACOSTA, ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 237809 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. ROSALINA AURE Y ALMAZAN AND GINA MARAVILLA Y AGNES,* ACCUSED-APPELLANTS.

  • G.R. No. 232940 - DENNIS LOAYON Y LUIS, PETITIONER, v. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 212107 - KEIHIN-EVERETT FORWARDING CO., INC., PETITIONER, v. TOKIO MARINE MALAYAN INSURANCE CO., INC.** AND SUNFREIGHT FORWARDERS & CUSTOMS BROKERAGE, INC., RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 231459 - HEIRS OF PAULA C. FABILLAR, AS REPRESENTED BY AUREO* FABILLAR, PETITIONERS, v. MIGUEL M. PALLER, FLORENTINA P. ABAYAN, AND DEMETRIA P. SAGALES, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 211449 - COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE, PETITIONER, v. TRANSFIELD PHILIPPINES, INC., RESPONDENT.

  • A.M. No. 18-03-03-SB - RE: E-MAIL COMPLAINT OF MA. ROSARIO GONZALES AGAINST HON. MARIA THERESA MENDOZA-ARCEGA, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE, SANDIGANBAYAN AND HON. FLERIDA Z. BANZUELA, PRESIDING JUDGE, REGIONAL TRIAL COURT, BRANCH 51, SORSOGON CITY, SORSOGON.

  • G.R. No. 217978 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, v. NANCY LASACA RAMIREZ A.K.A. "ZOY" OR "SOY" ACCUSED-APPELLANT.

  • G.R. No. 224548 - MARLYN MONTON NULLADA, PETITIONER, v. THE HON. CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MANILA, AKIRA ITO, SHIN ITO AND ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST, RESPONDENTS.

  • G.R. No. 189162 - POLO PLANTATION AGRARIAN REFORM MULTIPURPOSE COOPERATIVE (POPARMUCO), REPRESENTED BY SILANDO GOMEZ AND ELIAS RAMOS, PETITIONER, v. RODOLFO T. INSON, CESO III, AS REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM, REGION VII - CEBU CITY, RESPONDENT.

  • G.R. No. 235873 - ENRIQUE MARCO G. YULO, PETITIONER, v. CONCENTRIX DAKSH SERVICES PHILIPPINES, INC.,* RESPONDENT.

  • A.C. No. 9917, January 14, 2019 - NORBERTO S. COLLANTES, Complainant, v. ATTY. ANSELMO B. MABUTI, Respondent.