Title
Sibuyo vs. People
Case
G.R. No. 145217
Decision Date
Dec 10, 2003
A co-worker accused of acts of lasciviousness in a workplace incident; courts upheld the conviction, dismissing claims of fabricated charges and delay in filing.

Case Digest (G.R. No. 145217)
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model

Facts:

Background of the Parties:
  • Petitioner Pepito Sibuyo and private complainant Jocelyn Junio were co-workers at Philusa Corporation in Pasig, Metro Manila.
  • Jocelyn worked as a labeler in the non-liquid section, while Pepito was a warehouseman assigned to the salvaging section.
  • The salvage room, where Pepito worked, contained a folding bed and a partition made of cartons, which employees sometimes used for rest during breaks.

The Incident:

  • On May 21, 1993, Jocelyn experienced stomach pains and sought permission to rest. She decided to use the folding bed in the salvage room.
  • While resting, she felt someone on top of her, kissing her neck and touching her breast. She saw it was Pepito and struggled to free herself.
  • Pepito whispered, "Tayo lang dalawa, pagbigyan mo na ako." Jocelyn warned him to stop or she would kick him. Pepito eventually let her go.
  • Jocelyn ran to the locker room, where she confided in a co-worker, Hilaria Franco, about the incident.

Aftermath:

  • Pepito later called Jocelyn, saying, "Sinayang mo ang pagkakataon nating dalawa." Jocelyn cursed him and avoided him thereafter.
  • Pepito confronted Jocelyn at work, cursing her and accusing her of spreading false rumors. This led to a commotion, prompting management to investigate.
  • Jocelyn testified before the company's investigating committee, which found Pepito guilty of acts of indecency. He was subsequently terminated.

Legal Proceedings:

  • Pepito filed a case for illegal dismissal with the Department of Labor and Employment, claiming Jocelyn's allegations were fabricated. The Labor Arbiter ruled in his favor, citing procedural lapses in his termination.
  • Meanwhile, Jocelyn filed a criminal complaint for acts of lasciviousness against Pepito on December 13, 1993, seven months after the incident.

Issues:

  • Whether the trial and appellate courts erred in finding no nefarious motive on Jocelyn's part in filing the criminal charge against Pepito.
  • Whether the courts erred in giving credence to Jocelyn's testimony despite the seven-month delay in filing the criminal complaint.

Ruling:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

Ratio:

  • (Subscriber-Only)

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