Case Digest (G.R. No. 243190)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Dennis Sarabia y Reyes, G.R. No. 243190, August 28, 2019, Supreme Court Second Division, Caguioa, J., writing for the Court. The prosecution (the People) charged respondent Dennis Sarabia y Reyes (accused-appellant Sarabia) with illegal sale (Section 5, RA 9165) and illegal possession (Section 11, RA 9165) of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) arising from a buy‑bust operation on June 30, 2013 in Laoag City. Two Informations were filed: Criminal Case No. 15573 (sale — sachet alleged weight 0.0392 g) and Criminal Case No. 15574 (possession — six sachets aggregate c. 3.219 g).The prosecution’s case rested on testimony by PDEA agents and a confidential informant (CI). According to them, the CI arranged a P1,000 buy with the accused; IO1 Mirindato acted as the poseur‑buyer and executed a prearranged signal; the arresting officers recovered the marked buy‑bust money, a cellphone, and six additional sachets from the accused; barangay officials and media were later called to witness an inventory; the samples were submitted to the PNP Ilocos Norte Crime Laboratory and reported as methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Accused Sarabia denied the prosecution’s version. He testified that he was a tricycle driver who was grabbed by men he identified as operatives, taken to various places where money and his phone were taken, and eventually brought to the waiting shed where markings and inventory occurred in his absence — implying a frame‑up.
The Regional Trial Court (Branch 13, Laoag City) found Sarabia guilty of both offenses and sentenced him on September 30, 2016. The Court o...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Was accused‑appellant Dennis Sarabia proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt of illegal sale and possession of dangerous drugs under Sections 5 and 11 of RA...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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