Case Digest (G.R. No. 238282)
Facts:
- Joseph T. Soriano (petitioner) filed against the People of the Philippines (respondent).
- Supreme Court decision rendered on April 26, 2022.
- Complaint initiated on April 23, 2009, by George T. Li, owner of San Vicente Dressing Plant (SVDP).
- Allegations against Soriano and several employees of the City Government of Alaminos, Pangasinan, including Dr. Ronaldo B. Abarra, Ryan R. Pagador, and Lyndon R. Millan.
- Violations cited under Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
- Incident occurred on April 17, 2009, when Abarra and his team stopped a delivery van owned by Li, carrying 2,455 kilograms of meat valued at approximately P250,000.
- Confiscation justified by claims of an incomplete National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Certificate.
- Despite clarifications from SVDP employees, Abarra insisted on impounding the van.
- Meat was unloaded and distributed to various government agencies by 9:00 a.m. that day.
- The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon recommended charges, leading to an Information filed with the Sandiganbayan on November 11, 2013.
- Sandiganbayan found Soriano and co-accused guilty on January 19, 2018, sentencing them to imprisonment and ordering restitution of the meat's value.
- Motions for reconsideration were denied on February 27, 2018, prompting Soriano to file a petition for review.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court granted the petition, reversing the Sandiganbayan's decision.
- Joseph T. Soriano and his co-accused, Dr. Ronaldo B. Abarra and Lyndon R. Millan, were acquitted.
- The Court determin...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- Public office is a public trust, and public officers are held to a higher standard of accountability.
- The presumption of innocence remains intact for the accused.
- The prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in graft and corruption cases under RA 3019.
- To convict under Section 3(e), the prosecution must prove the accused's public officer status, the act's performance in official duties, and that it was done with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross negligence.
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Case Digest (G.R. No. 238282)
Facts:
The case involves Joseph T. Soriano (petitioner) against the People of the Philippines (respondent), with the decision rendered by the Supreme Court on April 26, 2022. The case originated from a complaint filed on April 23, 2009, by George T. Li, the owner of San Vicente Dressing Plant (SVDP), against Soriano and several employees of the City Government of Alaminos, Pangasinan, including Dr. Ronaldo B. Abarra (City Veterinarian), Ryan R. Pagador (Meat Inspector), and Lyndon R. Millan (Security Officer). The complaint alleged violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
On April 17, 2009, at approximately 1:30 a.m., personnel from the City Veterinary Office, led by Abarra, stopped a delivery van owned by Li, which was carrying around 2,455 kilograms of meat and by-products valued at approximately P250,000. The confiscation was justified by the claim that the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Certificate presented by SVDP was incomplete. Despite attempts by SVDP employees to clarify the missing information, Abarra and his team insisted on impounding the van. By 9:00 a.m. that same day, the meat was unloaded and distributed to various government agencies in Alaminos City Hall.
The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon recommended charges against Soriano and his co-accused, leading to an Information filed with the Sandiganbayan on November 11, 2013. The Sandiganbayan found Soriano and his co-accused guilty on January 19, 2018, sentencing them to imprisonment and ordering them to return the value of the confiscated meat. The court ruled that they acted with evident bad faith, failing to...