Facts:

• The case "People vs Valdehueza" was decided on April 26, 1905.
• The complainant-appellee is the United States, and the defendant-appellant is Pablo Valdehueza.
• Valdehueza, the municipal president, was found guilty of bribery for releasing a prisoner against the orders of the provincial governor.
• The incident occurred in a municipality where Valdehueza had authority over police officers and the custody of prisoners.
• The lower court found Valdehueza guilty of bribery after he ordered the release of a prisoner named Diego upon receiving a bribe of 20 pesos.
• Valdehueza appealed, arguing it was not part of his official duties to send prisoners to the provincial capital upon receiving directions from the provincial governor.

Issue:

• (Unlock)

Ruling:

• Yes, it was part of the official duties of the municipal president to send prisoners to the provincial capital upon receiving directions from the provincial governor.
• Yes, the act of releasing ...(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The court, led by Justice Willard, held that under the Municipal Code, the president of a municipality has control over police officers and the power to give directions regarding the custody of prisoners.
• Evidence showed that Valdehueza ordered the release of the prisoner Diego upon receiving a bribe of 20 pesos, instead of obeying the provincial governor's orders to send the prisoner to the capital.
• The court rejected the testimony of witnesses Agripino Soluaga and Vicente Neri concerning conversations with the deceased Diego Veement as incompetent against the defendant.
• Even excluding this evidence, there was still sufficient proof of the crime charged.
• The court emphasized th...continue reading