Case Digest (G.R. No. L-62439)
Facts:
- Gregory James Pozar, an American citizen and permanent resident of the Philippines, was charged with Corruption of a Public Official.
- The incident occurred on December 17, 1979, in Angeles City, Philippines.
- Pozar, while applying for probation after being convicted of less serious physical injuries and oral defamation, allegedly gave a P100 bill to Danilo Ocampo, the City Probation Officer.
- The case was filed on July 22, 1980, in the City Court of Angeles City, Branch I, as Criminal Case No. CAT-326.
- Pozar pleaded not guilty upon arraignment.
- On May 15, 1981, the City Court found him guilty and sentenced him to three months and one day of imprisonment and public censure.
- The decision was appealed to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the lower court's ruling.
- Pozar's motion for reconsideration was denied, prompting him to file a petition for review, arguing insufficient evidence of his guilt.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of the lower courts and acquitted Gregory James Pozar.
- The Court ruled that the act of ...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Pozar intended to bribe the City Probation Officer.
- Evidence showed Pozar needed to submit various documents for his probation application, including copies of his passport and visa.
- The procedure for processing Pozar's application was unclear, and as a foreigner unfamiliar with the rules, Pozar's act of providing money for documentation expenses was understandable and innocent.
- The Court emph...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-62439)
Facts:
In the case of "Pozar v. Court of Appeals," Gregory James Pozar, an American citizen and permanent resident of the Philippines, was charged with the crime of Corruption of a Public Official. The incident occurred on December 17, 1979, in Angeles City, Philippines. Pozar, who was applying for probation after being convicted of less serious physical injuries and oral defamation, allegedly gave a P100 bill to Danilo Ocampo, the City Probation Officer, under circumstances that could make Ocampo liable for bribery. The case was initially filed on July 22, 1980, in the City Court of Angeles City, Branch I, as Criminal Case No. CAT-326. Upon arraignment, Pozar pleaded not guilty. However, the City Court found him guilty on May 15, 1981, sentencing him to three months and one day of imprisonment and public censure. The decision was appealed to the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the lower court's ruling. Pozar's motion for reconsideration was denied, leading him to file a petition for review, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond reasonab...