Case Digest (G.R. No. 170453)
Facts:
- Petitioners: Nestor A. Bernardino (former Municipal Mayor and PBAC Chairman), Eugelio G. Barawid (Municipal Treasurer and PBAC member), Celedonia N. Tomas (PBAC's acting Secretary).
- Other PBAC members: Municipal Councilors Ernesto T. Mateo and Benito A. Rillo, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Efren N. Fronda, Municipal Budget Officer Abraham P. Coloma, Municipal Engineer Jose F. Mateo, Municipal Accountant Renato L. Esquivel, NGO representatives Paulino G. Quindara and Luis F. Rendon, Jr.
- Date of alleged public bidding: December 8, 1997.
- Project: Construction of the public market extension in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
- Initial awardee: Mascom Design and Engineering International (MASCOM).
- Subsequent actions: Newly elected Mayor Jose Lucius Pocholo Dizon conducted another bidding, awarding the project to KYRO Builder.
- Resulting complaint: MASCOM filed a complaint against Mayor Dizon and Barawid.
- Affidavits: Several PBAC members claimed no public bidding took place on December 8, 1997.
- Charges: Falsification of public documents against PBAC members.
- Sandiganbayan's decision: Found petitioners guilty, sentenced them to imprisonment and fines.
- Motions for new trial: Denied, leading to consolidated petitions before the Supreme Court.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court acquitted petitioners Nestor A. Bernardino and Eugelio G. Barawid due to reasonable doubt but affirmed the conviction of Celedonia N. Tomas with modifications to her sentence....(Unlock)
Ratio:
- Presumption of innocence: Emphasized in criminal prosecutions.
- Burden of proof: Prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- Evidence: Affidavits of PBAC members were insufficient as they were based on opinions, not personal knowledge.
- Testimonies: COA representative Ronquillo and Mayor Dizon lacked personal knowledge.
- Absence of PBAC members: Did not conclusively prove no bidding took place.
- Equipoise rule: Applied, favoring the presumption of innocence.
- Tomas's liability: Found liable for falsification as she signed the "...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 170453)
Facts:
The case of Bernardino v. People involves petitioners Nestor A. Bernardino, former Municipal Mayor of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, and Chairman of the Pre-Qualification Bid and Awards Committee (PBAC), Eugelio G. Barawid, a Municipal Treasurer and PBAC member, and Celedonia N. Tomas, the PBAC's acting Secretary. Other PBAC members included Municipal Councilors Ernesto T. Mateo and Benito A. Rillo, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Efren N. Fronda, Municipal Budget Officer Abraham P. Coloma, Municipal Engineer Jose F. Mateo, Municipal Accountant Renato L. Esquivel, and NGO representatives Paulino G. Quindara and Luis F. Rendon, Jr. On December 8, 1997, the PBAC allegedly conducted a public bidding at the Municipal Library of Guimba, Nueva Ecija, for the construction of the public market extension. The project was awarded to Mascom Design and Engineering International (MASCOM). The "Minutes of the opening of bids" and other related documents were signed by the PBAC members. However, newly elected Mayor Jose Lucius Pocholo Dizon later conducted another bidding and awarded the project to KYRO Builder, leading to MASCOM filing a complaint against Mayor Dizon and Barawid. The affidavits of several PBAC memb...