G.R. No. 210760 - Zabala vs. People

An Information was filed in the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 22, Malolos City, charging petitioner Kyle Anthony Zabala with theft under Articles 308 and 309 of the Revised Penal Code.
The Information charged that on or about June 18, 2007, in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, Zabala with intent to gain unlawfully took an envelope containing cash amounting to ₱68,000 from Randolph V. Alas, the owner, without his knowledge or consent.
Upon arraignment, petitioner pleaded not guilty.

Complainant Randolph V. Alas, who detailed his routine, his relationship with Zabala as a neighbor and kumpare, and the circumstances leading to the discovery of the missing cash.
Marlyn PiAon, alleged former girlfriend of Zabala, who testified that she witnessed Zabala scaling the fence and entering Alas’s house and observed a bulge in his pocket on his return.

The testimony of petitioner Zabala, asserting that on the night preceding the alleged incident, he was driving his jeepney in the company of his friend Muriel John Ganas.
Ganas corroborated Zabala’s version by stating that they were together and that Zabala did not visit Alas’s residence.

Complainant Alas left for work at around 4:00 a.m. on June 18, 2007, and returned around 11:00 p.m. only to find his ₱68,000 missing.
Testimony by PiAon indicated that Zabala was seen climbing the fence and entering the complainant’s house early that morning.
After exiting the house, Zabala was noted to have a noticeable bulge in his pocket.
Subsequently, Zabala and PiAon were recorded shopping in Greenhills, where he purchased two mobile phones, suggesting possible use of the alleged stolen cash.

Zabala maintained that he was with his friend Ganas from early June 17 until their parting on the morning of June 18.
He claimed that he never visited the complainant’s house and that his relationship with PiAon was merely that of an acquaintance.
Ganas’s testimony served to reinforce that Zabala was continuously in transit with him during the crucial time period.

The RTC found petitioner guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of theft.
Zabala was sentenced to suffer imprisonment under prision correccional (minimum 6 years, maximum 8 years) and ordered to indemnify Alas with ₱68,000.

Court of Appeals (CA) Decision (July 15, 2013) and Resolution (January 8, 2014):

The CA affirmed the RTC’s judgment with modification by imposing a slightly altered penalty range (minimum of 6 years to a maximum of 12 years, 8 months, and 8 days) while reiterating the finding of guilt.
The CA found that the circumstantial evidence, when taken together, was sufficient to establish the chain of circumstances leading to a conviction.

Petitioner filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari under Rule 45, challenging:

The People, as respondent, maintained that the evidence was sufficient and that the CA correctly applied the doctrine of circumstantial evidence.

Whether the Court of Appeals erred in giving full weight and credence to the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.
Whether the CA erred in affirming the RTC’s decision despite the contention that the evidence on record failed to support a conviction beyond reasonable doubt.