Case Digest (G.R. No. 130602)
Facts:
- The case involves Michael Fronda y Quindara, Antonino Flora y Sabado, Jr., and Lauro Millamina y Cinense, Jr.
- They were charged with violating Section 4, Article II of Republic Act No. 6425 for allegedly selling and delivering marijuana.
- The incident took place on October 8, 1996, in Baguio City, Philippines.
- The prosecution's case hinged on a buy-bust operation by PO2 Ceasary Harry Bedey and PO3 June Corpuz.
- A tip from a concerned citizen led PO2 Bedey to 341 A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City.
- Bedey claimed to have purchased a brick of marijuana from someone in a room occupied by the accused.
- The accused were arrested and charged based on this transaction.
- The prosecution's witnesses included PO2 Bedey, PO3 Corpuz, and Police Senior Inspector Alma Margarita Villaseñor, a forensic chemist.
- The defense presented the accused and their landlady, Mrs. Lolita Flora, who testified that the accused were students and denied the allegations.
- The trial court found the accused guilty and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua and a fine of P500,000.
- The accused appealed, arguing that the prosecution did not prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the identity of the offenders beyond reasonable doubt.
- The Court found that the trial court erred in convicting the accused based on circumstantial evidence....(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court stressed that the identity of the offender must be proven beyond reasonable doubt in criminal prosecutions.
- PO2 Bedey could not identify the persons involved due to the darkness at the scene.
- PO3 Corpuz, who arrived after Bedey's signal, also failed to identify the individuals.
- The Court noted that the trial court's finding that the accused were caught "flagrante delicto" lacked evidentiary support.
- Being caught "...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 130602)
Facts:
In the case of "People vs. Fronda," the accused Michael Fronda y Quindara, Antonino Flora y Sabado, Jr., and Lauro Millamina y Cinense, Jr. were charged with violating Section 4, Article II of Republic Act No. 6425, as amended, for allegedly selling and delivering marijuana. The incident occurred on October 8, 1996, in Baguio City, Philippines. The prosecution's case was based on a buy-bust operation conducted by PO2 Ceasary Harry Bedey and PO3 June Corpuz. According to the prosecution, a concerned citizen informed PO2 Bedey about marijuana dealing at 341 A. Bonifacio Street, Baguio City. Bedey and Corpuz proceeded to the location, where Bedey allegedly purchased a brick of marijuana from someone inside a room occupied by the accused. The accused were arrested and charged based on this transaction. During the trial, the prosecution presented the testimonies of PO2 Bedey, PO3 Corpuz, and Police Senior Inspector Alma Margarita Villaseñor, a forensic chemist. The defense, on the other hand, presented the accused and their landlady, Mrs. Lolita Flora, who testified that the accused were mere students and denied any involvement in the marijuana transaction. The trial court found the accused guilty and sentenced them to reclusion perpetua and a fine of P500,000. The accused appealed the decision, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
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