Case Digest (G.R. No. 261670)
Facts:
- Allan Gacasan y Langamin was charged with violating Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code for illegal possession and use of counterfeit Philippine bank notes.
- The incident occurred on November 10, 2018, around 3:00 PM, at a waiting shed in front of Bukidnon Provincial Hospital, Barangay San Miguel, Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon.
- Gacasan was apprehended during a buy-bust operation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
- During the operation, Gacasan handed over counterfeit bills to Police Corporal Joseph A. Dalman, who was acting as a poseur-buyer.
- The counterfeit money consisted of 100 pieces of 1000-peso bills and 25 pieces of 500-peso bills, totaling PHP112,500.00.
- Atty. Andrew E. Asperin from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) confirmed the counterfeit nature of the bills.
- Gacasan claimed he was merely resting at the waiting shed when an unknown individual threw the fake money at him.
- He argued there were breaks in the chain of custody and that he was unaware of the contents of the brown envelope he handed to the poseur-buyer.
- The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manolo Fortich, Branch 11, found Gacasan guilty and sentenced him to an indeterminate penalty of six years to ten years, eight months, and one day of imprisonment, along with a fine of PHP7,500.00.
- The Court of Appeals (CA) upheld the RTC's decision.
- Gacasan filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court, seeking to overturn the CA's decision.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, affirming the CA's decision with modification.
- Allan Gacasan y Langamin was found guilty of illegal possession and use of false bank notes under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code.
- He was sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of eight years and one day of pr...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court held that the prosecution had sufficiently proven Gacasan's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- The elements of the crime under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code were established: the counterfeit nature of the bank notes was confirmed by the BSP, Gacasan's knowledge of the counterfeit ...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 261670)
Facts:
In the case of "Gacasan y Langamin v. People," Allan Gacasan y Langamin (Gacasan) faced charges for violating Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to the illegal possession and use of counterfeit Philippine bank notes. The incident took place on November 10, 2018, around 3:00 PM, at a waiting shed in front of Bukidnon Provincial Hospital, Barangay San Miguel, Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Province of Bukidnon. Gacasan was apprehended during a buy-bust operation executed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). During this operation, Gacasan handed over counterfeit bills to Police Corporal Joseph A. Dalman (PCpl. Dalman), who was acting as a poseur-buyer. The counterfeit money consisted of 100 pieces of 1000-peso bills and 25 pieces of 500-peso bills, amounting to PHP112,500.00. Atty. Andrew E. Asperin from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) confirmed the counterfeit nature of the bills. Gacasan contended that he was merely resting at the waiting shed when an unknown individual threw the fake money at him. He argued that there were breaks in the chain of custody and that he was unaware of the contents of the brown envelope he handed to the poseur-buyer. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Manolo Fortich, Branch 11, found Gacasan guilty and sente...