Title
Reyes vs. Court of Appeals
Case
G.R. No. L-36391-92
Decision Date
Mar 9, 1989
Arturo Reyes is convicted of illegally possessing and using falsified American Express checks, with the Court upholding the conviction due to evidence of his guilty knowledge and fraudulent intent.
Font Size

Case Digest (G.R. No. L-36391-92)

Facts:

  • Arturo Reyes is the petitioner, while the Hon. Court of Appeals and the People of the Philippines are the respondents.
  • On September 3, 1961, Ceferino Melendez offered two American Express Company (AMEXCO) checks to Rufo Saruca, claiming they were acquired from Reyes.
  • Saruca, intending to travel abroad, agreed to encash the checks with guarantees of authenticity from two individuals.
  • Melendez executed an affidavit on September 4, 1961, acknowledging receipt of P589 from Saruca and promising a refund if the checks were invalid.
  • On September 6, 1961, Reyes, with Melendez, encashed four additional AMEXCO checks worth $390 with Saruca, executing another affidavit for P600.
  • Saruca later discovered the checks were forged, leading him to bring Reyes to Chief of Police Salvador Ringor for examination.
  • The checks were found to have alterations, prompting further investigation by the PC headquarters.
  • Saruca demanded a refund from Reyes, who refused unless the checks were returned, which were in custody of the investigator.
  • Reyes and Melendez were charged under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code; Melendez was acquitted, but Reyes was convicted and sentenced.
  • Reyes appealed to the Court of Appeals, which modified the sentence, increasing the penalty.

Issue:

  • (Unlock)

Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled that the Court of Appeals did not err in finding Arturo Reyes guilty.
  • The petition for review was denied, a...(Unlock)

Ratio:

  • The Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeals' findings, confirming that the elements of the crime under Article 168 were established.
  • The prosecution proved that Reyes possessed the falsified checks with guilty knowledge and fraudulent intent.
  • Testimonies from Saruca and Maj. Jose Fer...continue reading

Jur is an AI-powered legal research platform in the Philippines for case digests, summaries, and jurisprudence. AI-generated content may contain inaccuracies; please verify independently.

© 2024 Jur.ph. All rights reserved.