Facts:

• Jason Sy was charged with the illegal sale of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) under Section 15, Article III of Republic Act No. 6425, as amended.
• The incident occurred on December 3, 2000, in San Fernando, Pampanga.
• The prosecution's case was based on a buy-bust operation by the Special Action Team of the 3rd CIDG, Camp Olivas, led by Major Julian Caesar Mana.
• Police officers involved included PO3 Ricardo L. Amontos, PO2 Christian Ventura Trambulo, and Senior Inspector Julieto Culili.
• Sy allegedly sold 987.32265 grams of shabu to PO2 Trambulo, a poseur-buyer, at the parking lot of a Chowking restaurant.
• Sy was arrested immediately after the transaction, and marked money and boodle money were recovered from him.
• The defense claimed Sy was abducted by the police, extorted for ransom, and falsely charged with drug trafficking.
• The Regional Trial Court (RTC) of San Fernando, Pampanga, found Sy guilty beyond reasonable doubt, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua and a fine of P500,000.
• The Court of Appeals affirmed the RTC's decision, leading Sy to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

1. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction of Jason Sy for the illegal sale of shabu, finding that the prosecution had established his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
2. The Court ruled that the failure to present the confidential informant was not fatal to the prosecution's case.
3. The Court found that the alleged irregularities in t...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that the prosecution had sufficiently proven the elements of the illegal sale of shabu.
• The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, including the poseur-buyer PO2 Trambulo, were found to be credible and consistent.
• The trial court's assessment of witness credibility is given the highest respect, as it had the advantage of observing their demeanor.
• The Court dismissed the defense's claim that the failure to present the confidential informant was ...continue reading