THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,vs.

BIENVENIDO PARAGSA, alias

"BENBEN",efenant-appellant.
FA!TS"
RT! an t#e !A $%nvi$te Pa&a'sa f%& &apin' (i&as%l, )* +ea&s %l %n ,-l+ )., )/0). Pa&a'sa a1itte #avin'
se2-al inte&$%-&se 3it# (i&as%l, 4-t enie e1pl%+in' f%&$e %& inti1iati%n a'ainst #e&. He $lai1s #e an
(i&as%l 3e&e s3eet#ea&ts an s#e i n%t 4%t#e& t% &e4-t s-$# state1ent an t#at t#e+ #a #a t3% p&evi%-s
se2-al $%11-ni$ati%ns 4ef%&e ,-l+ )., )/0), %ne %f 3#i$# #appene %n ,-ne */, )/0) in t#e #%-se %f t#e
a$$-se, 3#e&e (i&as%l an t#e a$$-se slept t%'et#e& in t#e evenin' %f t#e sa1e a+ afte& t#e 1%t#e& %f t#e
a$$-se an (i&as%l #a &et-&ne f&%1 t#e t%3n fiesta %f Banta+an.
ISS5E"
6#et#e& t#e fail-&e %f (i&as%l t% &e4-t $%nstit-te as an a1issi%n 4+ silen$e.
HELD"
7es. T#e &-le all%3in' silen$e %f a pe&s%n t% 4e ta8en as an i1plie a1issi%n %f t#e t&-t# %f t#e state1ents
-tte&e in #is p&esen$e is appli$a4le in $&i1inal $ases. B-t 4ef%&e t#e silen$e %f a pa&t+ $an 4e ta8en as an
a1issi%n %f 3#at is sai, it 1-st appea&" t#at #e #ea& an -ne&st%% t#e state1ent9:*; t#at #e 3as at li4e&t+
t% inte&p%se a enial9:.; t#at t#e state1ent 3as in &espe$t t% s%1e 1atte& affe$tin' #is &i'#ts %& in 3#i$# #e
3as t#en inte&este, an $allin', nat-&all+, f%& an ans3e&9:<; t#at t#e fa$ts 3e&e 3it#in #is 8n%3le'e9 an:=;
t#at t#e fa$t a1itte %& t#e infe&en$e t% 4e &a3n f&%1 #is silen$e 3%-l 4e 1ate&ial t% t#e iss-e. T#ese
&e>-isites %f a1issi%n 4+ silen$e all %4tain in t#e p&esent $ase. Hen$e, t#e silen$e %f (i&as%l %n t#e fa$ts
asse&te 4+ t#e a$$-se an #is 3itnesses 1a+ 4e safel+ $%nst&-e as an a1issi%n %f t#e t&-t# %f s-$#
asse&ti%n.
RO(EO SISON, NILO PA!ADAR, ,OEL TAN, RI!HARD DE LOS SANTOS, an ,OSELITO TA(A7O,
petiti%ne&s,
vs.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES an !O5RT OF APPEALS, &esp%nents.
Fa$ts"
A &all+ 3as s$#e-le t% 4e #el at t#e L-neta 4+ t#e (a&$%s l%+alists 4-t t#ei& pe&1it t% &all+ 3as enie.
Despite t#is, .??? %f t#e1 'at#e&e at t#e Ri@al (%n-1ent %f t#e L-neta at *".? in t#e afte&n%%n %f t#e
s$#e-le a+. B-t t#e p%li$e ispe&se t#e1. T#at afte&n%%n, a s1all '&%-p %f l%+alists 1et an Renat%
Ban$-l% sa3 l%+alists atta$8in' pe&s%ns in +ell%3 s#i&ts, t#e $%l%& %f t#e "!%&+istasA an sa3 Sal$e%, 3ea&in'
a +ell%3 t-s#i&t 4ein' $#ase 4+ Sis%n an $%1pan+. T#e+ 4%2e, 8i$8e an 1a-le #i1. Sal$e% s%1e#%3
1ana'e t% 'et a3a+ f&%1 #is atta$8e&s 4-t a$$-se ,%el Tan an Nil% Pa$aa& p-&s-e #i1. Sal$e% ie
event-all+. T#e p&ess t%%8 pi$t-&es an a vie% %f t#e event 3#i$# 4e$a1e f&%nt-pa'e ne3s t#e f%ll%3in' a+,
$apt-&in' nati%nal an inte&nati%nal attenti%n. T#is p&%1pte P&esient A>-in% t% %&e& t#e !apital Re'i%nal
!%11an an t#e 6este&n P%li$e Dist&i$t t% investi'ate t#e in$ient.
ISS5E"
6#% s#%-l ientif+ p#%t%'&ap#s 3#en p&esente in $%-&t as evien$eB
Hel"
T#e &-le in t#is C-&isi$ti%n is t#at p#%t%'&ap#s, 3#en p&esente in evien$e, 1-st 4e ientifie 4+ t#e
p#%t%'&ap#e& as t% its p&%-$ti%n an testifie as t% t#e $i&$-1stan$es -ne& 3#i$# t#e+ 3e&e p&%-$e. T#e
val-e %f t#is 8in %f evien$e lies in its 4ein' a $%&&e$t &ep&esentati%n %& &ep&%-$ti%n %f t#e %&i'inal, an its
a1issi4ilit+ is ete&1ine 4+ its a$$-&a$+ in p%&t&a+in' t#e s$ene at t#e ti1e %f t#e $&i1e. T#e p#%t%'&ap#e&,
#%3eve&, is n%t t#e %nl+ 3itness 3#% $an ientif+ t#e pi$t-&es #e #as ta8en. T#e $%&&e$tness %f t#e p#%t%'&ap#
as a fait#f-l &ep&esentati%n %f t#e %4Ce$t p%&t&a+e $an 4e p&%ve p&i1a fa$ie, eit#e& 4+ t#e testi1%n+ %f t#e
pe&s%n 3#% 1ae it %& 4+ %t#e& $%1petent 3itnesses, afte& 3#i$# t#e $%-&t $an a1it it s-4Ce$t t%
i1pea$#1ent as t% its a$$-&a$+. P#%t%'&ap#s, t#e&ef%&e, $an 4e ientifie 4+ t#e p#%t%'&ap#e& %& 4+ an+ %t#e&
$%1petent 3itness 3#% $an testif+ t% its e2a$tness an a$$-&a$+.
DENAIDA SANTOS vs. !ALIETO, ALBERTO, ANTONIO an ROSA SANTOS
.FF S!RA ./=
FA!TS"
,es-s an R%salia Sant%s, pa&ents %f t#e &esp%nents %3ne a pa&$el %f &e'iste&e lan 3it# a f%-&-%%&
apa&t1ent a1iniste&e 4+ R%salia 3#% &ente t#e1 %-t. On ,an-a&+ )/, )/=/, t#e sp%-ses e2e$-te a ee
%f sale %f t#e p&%pe&ties in fav%& %f t#ei& $#il&en Salva%& an R%sa. R%sa s%l #e& s#a&e t% Salva%& %n
N%ve14e& *?, )/0.. Despite t#e t&ansfe& %f t#e p&%pe&t+ t% Salva%&, R%salia $%ntin-e t% lease an &e$eive
&entals f&%1 t#e apa&t1ent -nits. Afte& t#e eat# %f Salva%& an R%salia, Denaia 3ife %f Salava%&,
e1ane t#e &ent f&%1 Ant%ni% H%14&e4-en%, a tenant %f R%salia. 6#en t#e latte& &ef-se t% pa+, Denaia
file an eCe$t1ent s-it a'ainst #i1. T#e $%-&t &-le in fav%-& %f Denaia. On ,an-a&+ =, )/G/, &esp%nents
instit-te an a$ti%n f%& &e$%nve+an$e %f p&%pe&t+ 3it# p&eli1ina&+ inC-n$ti%n a'ainst Denaia in t#e Re'i%nal
T&ial !%-&t %f (anila, 3#e&e t#e+ alle'e t#at t#e t3% ees %f sale 3e&e si1-late f%& la$8 %f $%nsie&ati%n.
T#e t&ial $%-&t e$ie in fav%& %f p&ivate &esp%nents in as 1-$# as t#e ees %f sale 3e&e fi$titi%-s, t#e
a$ti%n t% assail t#e sa1e %es n%t p&es$&i4e. On appeal, t#e !A affi&1e t&ial $%-&tHs e$isi%n.
Iss-e"
!an Denaia inv%8e t#e IDea (anHs Stat-teB
Hel"
N%. T#e t&ial $%-&t in its %&e& ate Fe4&-a&+ =, )//?, enie petiti%ne&Hs 1%ti%n t% is>-alif+ &esp%nent
R%sa as a 3itness. Petiti%ne& i n%t appeal t#e&ef&%1. T&ial ens-e an R%sa testifie as a 3itness f%&
&esp%nents an 3as $&%ss-e2a1ine 4+ petiti%ne&Hs $%-nsel. B+ #e& fail-&e t% appeal f&%1 t#e %&e& all%3in'
R%sa t% testif+, s#e 3aive #e& &i'#t t% inv%8e t#e ea 1anHs stat-te. F-&t#e&, #e& $%-nsel $&%ss-e2a1ine
R%sa %n 1atte&s t#at %$$-&&e -&in' Salva%&Hs lifeti1e. 6e #el t#at p&%te$ti%n -ne& t#e ea 1anHs stat-te
is effe$tivel+ 3aive 3#en a $%-nsel f%& a petiti%ne& $&%ss-e2a1ines a p&ivate &esp%nent %n 1atte&s %$$-&&in'
-&in' t#e e$easeHs lifeti1e. T#e !%-&t %f Appeals $ann%t 4e fa-lte in i'n%&in' petiti%ne& %n R%saHs
is>-alifi$ati%n.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
PA!IFI!O D5NIG, efenant-appellant
Fa$ts"
(a+lin (%ntes, )? +ea&s %l at t#e ti1e %f t#e t&ial, sai in t#e evenin' %f Ap&il <, )//?, s#e, Jat#e&ine, a
$e&tain Fl%&+, an #e& Ate (a&il+n 3ent t% sleep at t#e &est#%-se 4el%n'in' t% %ne Att+. An&ae. (a&il+n slept
in a 4a14%% 4e, an t#e &est %f t#e1 slept -ne& t#e 4e. (a+lin sai t#at at a4%-t . a1, s#e sa3 D-ni' sta4
(a&il+n in t#e ne$8 t#&ee ti1es. T#e t#&ee 'i&ls &an t% An&aeKs #%-se a4%-t G 1ete&s a3a+ 3#e&e #e& fat#e&
an 1%t#e& 3e&e sta+in'. (a&il+n i, t%%, an $%llapse at t#e %%&. Jat#e&ine (%ntes, t#en ). +ea&s %l,
$%&&%4%&ate #e& siste&Ks testi1%n+. S#e sai s#e &an t% t#e #%-se a#ea %f (a&il+n an s#e #ea&, "Nana+,
nana+, sina8sa8 a8% ni Pi$%." "Pi$%" is D-ni'Ks ni$8na1e.
Te&esita (%ntes, t#e 'i&lsK 1%t#e&, als% testifie t#at s#e sa3 Pi$% an #e& nie$e (a&il+n a&'-in' an t#e
f%ll%3in' 1%&nin' s#e 3as a3a8ene 4+ (a&il+nHs pleas "Nana+, nana+, 4i'+an nin+% a8% n' 8ata&-n'an a#il
sina8sa8 a8% ni Pi$%."
Iss-e"
6#en t#e +in' e$la&ati%n satisfies all t#e &e>-isites f%& a1issi4ilit+, is it $%n$l-sive as t% t#e '-ilt %f t#e
pe&s%n all-e t% 4+ t#e vi$ti1B
Hel"
N%. A +in' e$la&ati%n is entitle t% t#e #i'#est $&een$e %n t#e t#e%&+ t#at a pe&s%n 3#% 8n%3s #e is %n t#e
ve&'e %f eat# is n%t li8el+ t% 1a8e a false a$$-sati%n. H%3eve&, t#e e$la&ati%n, al4eit p&es-1a4l+ in '%%
fait#, 1a+ still 4e 4ase %n an e&&%ne%-s ientifi$ati%n %f t#e e$la&antKs 8ille&.
In t#is $ase, it #as 4een esta4lis#e 4+ t#e testi1%nies %f t#e (%ntes siste&s t#at t#e &est #%-se 3as a&8, if
n%t, inee, $%1pletel+ a&8. Li8e t#e %t#e& t#&ee 'i&ls 3#% 3e&e sleepin' 3it# #e&, (a&il+n $%-l n%t p%ssi4l+
#ave seen t#e pe&s%n 3#% 3as atta$8in' #e&. At 4est, s#e $%-l p&%4a4l+ %nl+ s-&1ise it 3as D-ni', 4-t t#at
3as a 1%st -n$e&tain ientifi$ati%n. A s-&1ise is n%t evien$e. A 1anKs #%n%& an li4e&t+ $ann%t 4e f%&feite
4e$a-se t#e vi$ti1 s-pp%sel+ p%inte t% #i1 as #e& 8ille& alt#%-'# s#e $%-l n%t p%ssi4l+ #ave seen t#e
pe&s%n 3#% 3as sta44in' #e& in t#e a&8.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. PO* ALBERT ABRIOL, (A!ARIO ASTELLERO, an
,AN5ARIO DOSDOS, a$$-se-appellants.
Fa$ts"
At a&%-n ))"=? P.(., R%1e% Sta. !&-@, ,&., a &ai% ne3s &ep%&te& t#en a4%a& #is Ceep, #a C-st &ea$#e t#e
ABS-!BN $%1p%-n in P. el R%sa&i% St&eet, !e4- !it+, 3#en #e #ea& a $%-ple %f '-ns#%ts. He l%%8e
a&%-n an sa3 a 1an &-nnin' -nsteail+ an 3as s#%-tin' f%& #elp. Sta. !&-@, ,&., sa3 a &e I,iff+A &an %ve&
t#e 1an s#%-tin' f%& #elp an a 1an ali'#te f&%1 t#e I,iff+A an fi&e seve&al s#%ts at #i1. Nea& t#e $&i1e
s$ene 3as SPO) Elea@a& A4&i'ana an PO* R%1e% A4ellana 3#% p-&s-e t#e I,iff+A. SPO) A4&i'ana f&is8e
A4&i%l an sei@e f&%1 #is 3aist a ..G $ali4e& &ev%lve&. 5ne& A4&i%lHs seat, t#e p%li$e als% f%-n a .<= $ali4e&
pist%l an an%t#e& .<= $ali4e& pist%l. T#e p&%se$-ti%n p&esente SPO< Le1-el !ase&, 4allisti$ian %f t#e PNP
!&i1e La4%&at%&+, as an e2pe&t 3itness.
Iss-e"
6#% $an >-alif+ as an e2pe&t 3itnessB
Hel"
An e2pe&t 3itness is I%ne 3#% 4el%n's t% t#e p&%fessi%n %& $allin' t% 3#i$# t#e s-4Ce$t 1atte& %f t#e in>-i&+
&elates an 3#% p%ssesses spe$ial 8n%3le'e %n >-esti%ns %n 3#i$# #e p&%p%ses t% e2p&ess an
%pini%n.T#e&e is n% efinite stana& %f ete&1inin' t#e e'&ee %f s8ill %& 8n%3le'e t#at a 3itness 1-st
p%ssess in %&e& t% testif+ as an e2pe&t. It is s-ffi$ient t#at t#e f%ll%3in' fa$t%&s 4e p&esent" :); t&ainin' an
e-$ati%n9 :*; pa&ti$-la&, fi&st-#an fa1ilia&it+ 3it# t#e fa$ts %f t#e $ase9 an :.; p&esentati%n %f a-t#%&ities %&
stana&s -p%n 3#i$# #is %pini%n is 4ase. T#e >-esti%n %f 3#et#e& a 3itness is p&%pe&l+ >-alifie t% 'ive an
e2pe&t %pini%n %n 4allisti$s &ests 3it# t#e is$&eti%n %f t#e t&ial $%-&t.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs.PABLITO DO(ASIAN AND DR. SA(SON
TAN, a$$-se-appellant.
Fa$ts"
On (a&$# )), )/G*, 3#ile En&i$% 3as 3al8in' #e 3as app&%a$#e 4+ a 1an 3#% &e>-este #is assistan$e in
'ettin' #is fat#e&Ks si'nat-&e %n a 1ei$al $e&tifi$ate. En&i$% a'&ee t% #elp an &%e 3it# t#e 1an. T#e 1an
t#en fla''e a 1ini4-s an f%&$e En&i$% insie. T#is a&%-se t#e s-spi$i%n %f t#e &ive&, Ale2ane& G&ate.
G&ate i11eiatel+ &ep%&te t#e 1atte& t% t3% 4a&an'a+ tan%s an t#e+ 3ent afte& t#e t3% an sa3 t#e 1an
&a''in' t#e 4%+. T#e 1an 1ana'e t% es$ape, leavin' En&i$% 4e#in. Afte& En&i$%Hs &et-&n, #is fat#e&, A'&a
&e$eive a n%te e1anin' P) 1illi%n f%& t#e &elease %f En&i$% an a 3a&nin' t% 8ill t#e 4%+ if 1%ne+ is n%t
'iven. A'&a t#%-'#t t#e #an3&itin' in t#e n%te 3as fa1ilia&. Afte& $%1pa&in' it 3it# s%1e &e$%&s in t#e
#%spital, #e 'ave t#e n%te t% t#e p%li$e, 3#i$# &efe&&e it t% t#e NBI f%& e2a1inati%n. T#e test s#%3e t#at it
3as 3&itten 4+ D&. Sa1s%n Tan. At t#e p%li$e stati%n, En&i$% p%inte t% t#e pi$t-&e %f Pa4lit%
D%1asian . D%1asian an Tan 3e&e s-4se>-entl+ $#a&'e 3it# t#e $&i1e %f 8inappin' 3it# se&i%-s ille'al
etenti%n in t#e Re'i%nal T&ial !%-&t %f L-e@%n.
Iss-e"
6#at stana& s#%-l 4e applie in app&e$iatin' t#e %pini%n %f a #an3&itin' e2pe&t -ne& R-le ).*, Se$. **
%f t#e R-les %f !%-&tB
Hel"
T#e val-e %f t#e %pini%n %f a #an3&itin' e2pe&t epens n%t -p%n #is 1e&e state1ents %f 3#et#e& 3&itin' is
'en-ine %& false, 4-t -p%n t#e assistan$e #e 1a+ aff%& in p%intin' %-t istin'-is#in' 1a&8s, $#a&a$te&isti$s
an is$&epan$ies in an 4et3een 'en-ine an false spe$i1ens %f 3&itin' 3#i$# 3%-l %&ina&il+ es$ape
n%ti$e %& ete$ti%n f&%1 an -np&a$ti$e %4se&ve&. )* T#e test %f 'en-ineness %-'#t t% 4e t#e &ese14lan$e, n%t
t#e f%&1ati%n %f lette&s in s%1e %t#e& spe$i1ens 4-t t% t#e 'ene&al $#a&a$te& %f 3&itin', 3#i$# is i1p&esse %n
it as t#e inv%l-nta&+ an -n$%ns$i%-s &es-lt %f $%nstit-ti%n, #a4it %& %t#e& pe&1anent $%-&se, an is, t#e&ef%&e
itself pe&1anent.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,
vs.
DANN7 GODO7, a$$-se-appellant.

Fa$ts"
G%%+ 3as $#a&'e 3it# &ape an 8inappin' 3it# se&i%-s ille'al etenti%n. His efense 3as t#at t#e+ 3e&e
l%ve&s, as evien$e 4+ t#e lette&s 3&%te 4+ t#e $%1plainant t% t#e a$$-se. T#e $%-&t a >-% &ene&e
C-'1ent finin' appellant '-ilt+ 4e+%n &eas%na4le %-4t %f t#e $&i1es %f &ape an 8inappin' 3it# se&i%-s
ille'al etenti%n, an senten$in' #i1 t% t#e 1a2i1-1 penalt+ %feat# in 4%t# $ases.
Iss-e"
H%3 s#%-l a t&ial $%-&t 'ene&all+ &-le %n %4Ce$ti%ns t% a1issi4ilit+ %f evien$eB
Hel"
T#e p&a$ti$e %f e2$l-in' evien$e %n %-4tf-l %4Ce$ti%ns t% its 1ate&ialit+ %& te$#ni$al %4Ce$ti%ns t% t#e f%&1 %f
t#e >-esti%ns s#%-l 4e av%ie. In a $ase %f an+ int&i$a$+ it is i1p%ssi4le f%& a C-'e %f fi&st instan$e, in t#e
ea&l+ sta'es %f t#e evel%p1ent %f t#e p&%%f, t% 8n%3 3it# an+ $e&taint+ 3#et#e& t#e testi1%n+ is &elevant %&
n%t9 an 3#e&e t#e&e is n% ini$ati%n %f 4a fait# %n t#e pa&t %f t#e att%&ne+ %ffe&in' t#e evien$e, t#e $%-&t
1a+ as a &-le safel+ a$$ept t#e testi1%n+ -p%n t#e state1ent %f t#e att%&ne+ t#at t#e p&%%f %ffe&e 3ill 4e
$%nne$te late&. 6#en s-$# a 1ista8e is 1ae an t#e p&%%f is e&&%ne%-sl+ &-le %-t, t#e S-p&e1e !%-&t,
-p%n appeal, %ften fins itself e14a&&asse an p%ssi4l+ -na4le t% $%&&e$t t#e effe$ts %f t#e e&&%& 3it#%-t
&et-&nin' t#e $ase f%& a ne3 t&ial, a step 3#i$# t#is $%-&t is al3a+s ve&+ l%at# t% ta8e. On t#e %t#e& #an, t#e
a1issi%n %f p&%%f in a $%-&t %f fi&st instan$e, even if t#e >-esti%n as t% its f%&1, 1ate&ialit+, %& &elevan$+ is
%-4tf-l, $an neve& &es-lt in 1-$# #a&1 t% eit#e& liti'ant, 4e$a-se t#e t&ial C-'e is s-pp%se t% 8n%3 t#e la3
an it is its -t+, -p%n final $%nsie&ati%n %f t#e $ase, t% istin'-is# t#e &elevant an 1ate&ial f&%1 t#e
i&&elevant an i11ate&ial. If t#is $%-&se is f%ll%3e an t#e $a-se is p&%se$-te t% t#e S-p&e1e !%-&t -p%n
appeal, t#is $%-&t t#en #as all t#e 1ate&ials 4ef%&e it ne$essa&+ t% 1a8e a $%&&e$t C-'1ent.
A.(. N%. /G-)-))-RT!. O$t%4e& 0, )///
REPORT ON THE ,5DI!IAL A5DIT !OND5!TED IN RT!, B&an$#es */, =F M =0, Li41anan, !a1a&ines S-&
S7NOPSIS
T#is is an a1inist&ative $ase file in vie3 %f t#e $%1p-ls%&+ &eti&e1ent %f ,-'e Salva%& G. !aC%t, p&esiin'
,-'e %f t#e Re'i%nal T&ial !%-&t, B&an$# */, Li41anan, !a1a&ines S-&, effe$tive De$e14e& )), )//0. T#e
Offi$e %f t#e !%-&t A1inist&at%& $%n-$te %n Septe14e& )F t% )G, )//0, an a-it %f $ases file in t#e t#&ee
4&an$#es %f t#e Re'i%nal t&ial !%-&t %f Li41anan, !a1a&ines S-&. Base %n t#e &es-lt %f t#e a-it, t#e !%-&t
&e>-i&e ,-'e !aC%t t% e2plain #is fail-&e t% &es%lve !ivil !ase N%s. L-<<F an L-/0= 3it#in t#e &e'le1enta&+
pe&i% an %&e&e t#e 3it##%lin' in t#e 1eanti1e t#e a1%-nt %f t3% t#%-san pes%s f&%1 #is &eti&e1ent
4enefits. T#is 1atte& 3as &efe&&e t% t#e Offi$e %f t#e !%-&t A1inist&at%& 3#i$#, in its 1e1%&an-1 ate
Fe4&-a&+ )*, )/// &e$%11ene t#at &eti&e ,-'e Salva%& !aC%t 4e fine P),???.?? f%& #is fail-&e t% e$ie
!ivil !ase N%. L-<<F 3it#in t#e &e'le1enta&+ pe&i%
T#e !%-&t f%-n ,-'e !aC%tKs fail-&e t% &es%lve !ivil !ase N%s. L-<<F an L-/0= 3it#in t#e &e'le1enta&+
pe&i% t% 4e ine2$-sa4le 3a&&antin' t#e i1p%siti%n %f a1inist&ative san$ti%n %n #i1. T&ial $%-&t C-'es a&e
&e>-i&e t% e$ie $ases %& &es%lve 1atte& 3it#in t#&ee 1%nt#s f&%1 t#e ate %f t#ei& s-41issi%n f%&
&es%l-ti%n. In at least t3% $ases, it 3as #el t#at t#e fail-&e %f a C-'e t% e$ie even a sin'le $ase 3it#in t#e
/?-a+ pe&i% 3as '&%ss ineffi$ien$+ 3a&&antin' t#e i1p%siti%n %f a fine &an'in' f&%1 P=,???.?? t% t#e
e>-ivalent %f #is %ne 1%nt#Ks sala&+. !%nsie&in', #%3eve&, t#at t#is appea&e t% 4e &esp%nentKs fi&st $ase %f
t#is nat-&e, t#e P*,???.?? 3it##el f&%1 #is &eti&e1ent 4enefits s#%-l 4e f%&feite as s-ffi$ient penalt+ f%& #is
a1inist&ative %ffense. A$$%&in'l+, t#e !%-&t f%-n &eti&e ,-'e Salva%& !aC%t t% #ave 4een '-ilt+ %f '&%ss
ineffi$ien$+ an a$$%&in'l+, %&e&e t#e f%&feit-&e %f t#e P*,???.?? 3it##el f&%1 #is &eti&e1ent 4enefits.
S7LLAB5S
). LEGAL AND ,5DI!IAL ETHI!S9 ,5DGES9 ARE EN,OINED TO DE!IDE !ASES 6ITH DISPAT!H AND
THEIR FAIL5RE TO DO SO !ONSTIT5TES GROSS INEFFI!IEN!7 AND 6ARRANTS THE I(POSITION
OF AD(INISTRATIVE SAN!TION. N 5ne& A&t. VIII, O)=:); %f t#e !%nstit-ti%n, l%3e& $%-&ts #ave t#&ee
1%nt#s 3it#in 3#i$# t% e$ie $ases %& &es%lve 1atte&s s-41itte t% t#e1 f%& &es%l-ti%n. !an%n ., R-le ..?=
%f t#e !%e %f ,-i$ial !%n-$t, %n t#e %t#e& #an, enC%ins C-'es t% isp%se %f t#ei& 4-siness p&%1ptl+ an
e$ie $ases 3it#in t#e &e>-i&e pe&i%. Inee, t#is !%-&t #as $%nstantl+ i1p&esse -p%n C-'es - 1a+ it n%t
4e sai 3it#%-t s-$$ess - t#e nee t% e$ie $ases p&%1ptl+ an e2peiti%-sl+, f%& it $ann%t 4e 'ainsai t#at
C-sti$e ela+e is C-sti$e enie. Dela+ in t#e isp%siti%n %f $ases -ne&1ines t#e pe%pleKs fait# an
$%nfien$e in t#e C-i$ia&+. Hen$e, C-'es a&e enC%ine t% e$ie $ases 3it# ispat$#. T#ei& fail-&e t% % s%
$%nstit-tes '&%ss ineffi$ien$+ an 3a&&ants t#e i1p%siti%n %f a1inist&ative san$ti%n %n t#e1.
*. ID.9 ID.9 FAIL5RE OF A ,5DGE TO DE!IDE EVEN A SINGLE !ASE 6ITHIN THE /?-DA7 PERIOD IS
GROSS INEFFI!IEN!7 6ARRANTING THE I(POSITION OF FINE. - T#e !%-&t fins ,-'e !aC%tKs fail-&e t%
&es%lve !ivil !ase N%s. L-<<F an L-/0= 3it#in t#e &e'le1enta&+ pe&i% t% 4e ine2$-sa4le 3a&&antin' t#e
i1p%siti%n %f a1inist&ative san$ti%n %n #i1. T&ial $%-&t C-'es a&e &e>-i&e t% e$ie $ases %& &es%lve 1atte&s
3it#in t#&ee :.; 1%nt#s f&%1 t#e ate %f t#ei& s-41issi%n f%& &es%l-ti%n. In at least t3% :*; $ases, it 3as #el
t#at t#e fail-&e %f a C-'e t% e$ie even a sin'le $ase 3it#in t#e /?-a+ pe&i% is '&%ss ineffi$ien$+ 3a&&antin'
t#e i1p%siti%n %f a fine &an'in' f&%1 P=,???.?? t% t#e e>-ivalent %f #is %ne 1%nt#Ks sala&+. !%nsie&in',
#%3eve&, t#at t#is appea&s t% 4e &esp%nentHs fi&st $ase %f t#is nat-&e, t#e P*,???.?? 3it##el f&%1 #is
&eti&e1ent 4enefits s#%-l 4e f%&feite as s-ffi$ient penalt+ f%& #is a1inist&ative %ffense.
S5PRE(E TRANSLINER IN!., FELIPE SIA an NOVEN!IO FLORES, petiti%ne&s, vs. HON. !O5RT OF
APPEALS, GLORIA BRADAL an 1in%& LOTIS BRADAL, &ep&esente 4+ #e& fat#e&, NOEL
BRADAL, &esp%nents.
Fa$ts"
S-p&e1e T&ansline& In$. an Felipe Sia a&e t#e &e'iste&e %3ne&s %f a 4-s &iven 4+ N%ven$i%
Fl%&es. T#e 4-s $%llie 3it# a passen'e& Ceepne+ %3ne an &e'iste&e in t#e na1e %f
(a&$elin% Vill%nes an &iven 4+ Re+nal% De$ena 3it# passen'e&s Gl%&i an #e& a-'#te&
L%tis B&a@al, 3#% 4%t# s-ffe&e inC-&ies. An a$ti%n f%& a1a'es a'ainst S-p&e1e T&ansline& a&isin' f&%1 >-asi-
eli$t an a'ainst Vill%nes an De$ena f%& 4&ea$# %f $%nt&a$t 3as file 4+ Gl%&ia an L%tis.
Iss-e"
6#% #as t#e 4-&en %f p&%vin' S-p&e1e T&ansline&Hs lia4ilit+B
Hel"
T#e S-p&e1e !%-&t affi&1e an state t#at 4-&en %f p&%%f is t#e -t+ %f a pa&t+ t% p&esent evien$e t%
esta4lis# #is $lai1 %& efense 4+ t#e a1%-nt %f evien$e &e>-i&e 4+ la3, 3#i$# is p&ep%ne&an$e %f evien$e
in $ivil $ases.
T#e pa&t+, 3#et#e& plaintiff %& efenant, 3#% asse&ts t#e affi&1ative %f t#e iss-e #as t#e
4-&en %f p&%%f t% %4tain a fav%&a4le C-'1ent. T#e&ef%&e, t#e B&a@als as 3ell as
De$ena an Vill%nes #a t#e 4-&en %f p&%vin' S-p&e1e T&ansline&Hs ne'li'en$e 4+ t#e
>-ant-1 %f p&%%f &e>-i&e t% esta4lis# t#e latte&s lia4ilit+, i.e. 4+ p&ep%ne&an$e %f
evien$e.
R-e$%n (ana'e1ent !%&p%&ati%n an Att+. R-'eli% D. Ta$%&a v. Att+. (an-el N.!a1a$#% :A.!. N%. F<?.,
A-'-st .), *??<;
FA!TS"
On Septe14e& ., )//G, Sisenan% Sin's%n, &ep&esente 4+ Att+.(an-el N. !a1a$#%, file 3it# t#e RT! %f
L-e@%n !it+ a $%1plaint a'ainst R-e$%n (ana'e1ent !%&p%&ati%n f%& a1a'es an &e$%nve+an$e. T#e
$ase 3as %&i'inall+ &affle t% B&an$# 0/, RT!, L-e@%n !it+ 4-t 3as event-all+ &e-&affle t% B&an$# G= %f t#e
sa1e $%-&t. On Septe14e& *), )//G, Sin's%n, a'ain &ep&esente 4+ Att+. !a1a$#%, file 3it# B&an$# 0G,
RT!, L-e@%n !it+ a "(%ti%n f%& Inte&venti%n :6it# Atta$#e Ans3e& in Inte&venti%n 6it# Affi&1ative Defenses
an !%1p-ls%&+ !%-nte&$lai1;" in a !ivil !ase, entitle, "R-e$%n (ana'e1ent !%&p%&ati%n, plaintiff-appellee
vs. Ra1%n (. Vel-@, efenant-appellant," a $ase f%& -nla3f-l etaine& %n appeal 4ef%&e sai $%-&t. On
O$t%4e& ), )//G, R-e$%n file a 1%ti%n 4ef%&e B&an$# 0G see8in' t% $ite Sin's%n an #is $%-nsel, Att+.
!a1a$#%, f%& $%nte1pt f%& #avin' alle'el+ vi%late t#e &-le a'ainst f%&-1 s#%ppin'. T#e t&ial $%-&t f%-n
t#e1 '-ilt+. R-e$%n an Ta$%&a file t#e instant $%1plaint f%& is4a&1ent %& s-spensi%n a'ainst Att+.
!a1a$#%.
Iss-e"
In a $ase f%& is4a&1ent %& s-spensi%n %f an att%&ne+ f&%1 t#e p&a$ti$e %f la3, 3#at e'&ee %f evien$e is
&e>-i&eB
Hel" In a1inist&ative $ases f%& is4a&1ent %& s-spensi%n a'ainst la3+e&s, t#e >-ant-1 %f p&%%f &e>-i&e is
$lea&l+ p&ep%ne&ant evien$e an t#e 4-&en %f p&%%f &ests -p%n t#e $%1plainant. (%&e%ve&, an
a1inist&ative $ase a'ainst a la3+e& 1-st s#%3 t#e -4i%-s $#a&a$te& %f t#e a$t %ne as 3ell as %f t#e
1%tivati%n t#e&e%f. In t#e p&esent $ase, $%1plainant faile t% p&esent $lea& an p&ep%ne&ant evien$e t% s#%3
t#at &esp%nent 3illf-ll+ an eli4e&atel+ &es%&te t% false#%% an -nla3f-l an is#%nest $%n-$t in vi%lati%n
%f t#e stana&s %f #%nest+ as p&%vie f%& 4+ t#e !%e %f P&%fessi%nal Resp%nsi4ilit+ 3#i$# 3%-l #ave
3a&&ante t#e i1p%siti%n %f a1inist&ative san$ti%n a'ainst #i1.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,vs. ANTONIO alias T%n+ (ANA(BIT, ,AI(E alias
,i11+ (ANA(BIT
Fa$ts"
He$t%& &%ve a 1%t%&$+$le 3it# Re+nal% sittin' 4e#in #i1. 6#en t#e+ passe 4+ t#e #%-se %f T%n+
(ana14it, He$t%& sa3 T%n+ l%%8in' %-t f&%1 t#e 3in%3 an 1a8in' #an si'nals t% Ra1%n (a1-&i. Li8e
He$t%&, Re+nal% sa3 T%n+ 1a8in' 'est-&es t% Ra1%n. On t#ei& 3a+ 4a$8, He$t%& &e1e14e&e t#e
s-spi$i%-s si'nals %f T%n+ t% Ra1%n. He st%ppe t#e 1%t%&$+$le, 3aitin' f%& a ve#i$le '%in' t% L-14an 3it#
3#i$# t#e+ $%-l t&avel al%n'. He$t%& sa3 Ra1%n seate al%n' t#e e'e %f t#e #i'#3a+. ,-st t#en #e #ea&
s#%ts $%1in' f&%1 t#e i&e$ti%n %f t#e f%-& a&1e 1en. He a$$ele&ate t#e 1%t%&$+$le 4-t l%st $%nt&%l %f
it. He fell %n t#e left sie %f t#e &%a 3#ile Re+nal% fell %n t#e &i'#t sie. A passin' -1p t&-$8 t#en t%%8 #i1
t% t#e #%spital.
Iss-e" 6PN ,i11+ (ana14itHs '-ilt 3as p&%ven 4e+%n &eas%na4le %-4t.
Hel"
N%. T#e t&ial $%-&t 3%-l #ave 4een p&%pe&l+ '-ie in ete&1inin' t#e $-lpa4ilit+ %f t#e a$$-se #a it ta8en
int% a$$%-nt t#e p&evailin' #i'#l+ $#a&'e sit-ati%n. T#e &-le as t% 1%tive an #%3 it affe$ts t#e 3itnessH
$&ei4ilit+ is a4sent evien$e t% s#%3 an+ &eas%n %& 1%tive 3#+ 3itnesses f%& t#e p&%se$-ti%n s#%-l #ave
testifie falsel+, t#e l%'i$al $%n$l-si%n is t#at n% i1p&%pe& 1%tive e2iste an t#at t#ei& testi1%n+ is 3%&t#+ %f
f-ll fait# an $&eit. On t#e %t#e& #an, if f%& an+ 1%tive t#e&e is a p%ssi4ilt+ t#at a 3itness 1i'#t #ave 4een
p&%1pte t% testif+ falsel+, $%-&ts s#%-l 4e %n '-a& in assessin' t#e 3itnessH $&ei4ilit+. He$t%& $an #a&l+ 4e
$%nsie&e a $&ei4le e+e3itness as fa& as t#e ientit+ %f Appellant ,i11+ is $%n$e&ne. His %pen ani1%sit+
t%3a& Appellant ,i11+, 3#i$# t#e t&ial $%-&t itself n%te, $an neve& 1a8e #i1 t#e s%-&$e %f $&ei4le evien$e
t% p&%ve 4e+%n &eas%na4le %-4t t#e $-lpa4ilit+ %f t#e sai appellant.
Da% v. Pe%ple :G.R. N%. ).)<*);
Fa$ts"
On (a+ *=, )//*, in %&e& t% inte&$ept $attle &-stle&s f&%1 Ba&an'a+ La'-inin', S-ltan J-a&at, p%li$e %ffi$e&s
an !AFG5 1e14e&s f%&1e t#&ee tea1s, 3#i$# $%1p%se %f petiti%ne& SPO< Ge&%1in% Da% an !AFG5
1e14e&s F&an$is$% E&as%, Alf&e% Balinas, an R-f% Al'a. Alf&e% Balinas an R-f% Al'a 3e&e 4%t# a&1e
3it# ()< a&1alite &ifles, 3#ile petiti%ne& 3as a&1e 3it# a $ali4e& .<= pist%l an a$$-se F&an$is$% E&as% 3as
$a&&+in' an ()F a&1alite &ifle. T#e tea1 sa3 s%1e4%+ app&%a$#in' 3#% 3as #alf-na8e. 6#en #e 3as a4%-t
= 1ete&s a3a+ f&%1 t#e tea1, Balinas t%l E&as% t% 3ait, 4-t 4ef%&e Balinas $%-l 4ea1 #is flas# li'#t, E&as%
fi&e #is ()F a&1alite &ifle. T#en, petiti%ne& fi&e a sin'le s#%t f&%1 #is.<= $ali4e& pist%l. T#e vi$ti1 t-&ne %-t
t% 4e Silvest&e "B-ts%+" Balinas, t#e nep#e3 %f Alf&e% Balinas an n%t t#e $attle &-stle& t#e tea1 3e&e
%&e&e t% inte&$ept. T#e t&ial $%-&t $%nvi$te petiti%ne& an a$$-se E&as% %f t#e $&i1e %f #%1i$ie 3#i$# 3as
affi&1e 4+ t#e !%-&t %f Appeals. A$$-se E&as% file a Petiti%n f%& Revie3 4-t 3as enie 4+ !A9 %n t#e %t#e&
#an petiti%ne&, file t#is petiti%n.
Iss-e"
6#en t#e evien$e p&esente 4+ t#e p&%se$-ti%n an t#e a$$-se a&e %f e>-al 3ei'#t, 3#i$# sie s#all
p&evailB
Hel" 5ne& e>-ip%ise &-le, 3#e&e t#e evien$e %n an iss-e %f fa$t is in e>-ip%ise %& t#e&e is %-4t %n 3#i$#
sie t#e evien$e p&ep%ne&ates, t#e pa&t+ #avin' t#e 4-&en %f p&%%f l%ses. T#e e>-ip%ise &-le fins
appli$ati%n if, as in t#e p&esent $ase, t#e in$-lpat%&+ fa$ts an $i&$-1stan$es a&e $apa4le %f t3% %& 1%&e
e2planati%ns, %ne %f 3#i$# is $%nsistent 3it# t#e inn%$en$e %f t#e a$$-se an t#e %t#e& $%nsistent 3it# #is
'-ilt, f%& t#en t#e evien$e %es n%t f-lfill t#e test %f 1%&al $e&taint+, an %es n%t s-ffi$e t% p&%-$e a
$%nvi$ti%n. B&iefl+ state, t#e neee >-ant-1 %f p&%%f t% $%nvi$t t#e a$$-se %f t#e $&i1e $#a&'e is f%-n
la$8in'. Evientl+, t#e p&%se$-ti%n faile t% p&%ve t#at t#e 1etalli$ f&a'1ents f%-n in t#e fatal 3%-n %f t#e
vi$ti1 a&e pa&ti$les %f a .<= $ali4e& 4-llet t#at e1anate f&%1 t#e .<= $ali4e& pist%l fi&e 4+ petiti%ne&.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee,vs. (AR!ELINO DEVARAS, FELIE !AQAS, FLORANTE
SERRANO an BERNARDO DEVARAS, a$$-se. (AR!ELINO DEVARAS, FELIE !AQAS an FLORANTE
SERRANO, a$$-se-appellants.
Fa$ts"
6#ile R%sita Deva&as 3as fis#in' in t#e &ive&, s#e sa3 (a&$elin% Deva&as, Feli2 !aRas an Fl%&entin% Se&&an%
app&%a$#in' #e&. 6#en t#e+ $a1e nea& #e&, t#e+ as8e #e& if s#e #a seen D%&in', &efe&&in' t% Te%%&%
Deva&as. S#e &eplie in t#e affi&1ative, an t#en s#e p%inte t% t#e pla$e 3#e&e Te%%&% Bisna& 3as fis#in'
a4%-t )= 1ete&s a3a+ f&%1 #e&. T#e&eafte&, t#e t#&ee a4%ve-na1e pe&s%ns left #e& an p&%$eee t% t#e
pla$e p%inte t% 4+ #e&. N%t l%n' t#e&eafte&, R%sita Deva&as an Ga4&in% #ea& a s#%-t f%& #elp, $%1in' f&%1
t#e pla$e 3#e&e Te%%&% Bisna& 3as t#en fis#in'. B%t# &e$%'ni@e t#at t#e v%i$e s#%-tin' f%& #elp 3as t#at %f
Te%%&% Bisna&. B%t# i11eiatel+ t-&ne t%3a&s t#e i&e$ti%n 3#e&e t#e s#%-t f%& #elp $a1e f&%1, an t#e+
sa3 pe&s%ns atta$8in' Te%%&% Bisna&. Ga4&in%, in pa&ti$-la&, sa3 (a&$elin% Deva&as, Feli2 !aRas an
Fl%&ante Se&&an% in t#e &ive& sta44in' an #a$8in' Te%%&% Bisna&.
Iss-e" T% s-$$essf-ll+ inv%8e ali4i as a efense in $&i1inal p&%se$-ti%n, 3#at evien$e 1-st 4e a-$e 4+ t#e
a$$-seB
Hel"
Ali4i is %ne %f t#e 3ea8est efenses t#at $an 4e &es%&te t% 4+ an a$$-se, n%t %nl+ 4e$a-se it is in#e&entl+
3ea8 an -n&elia4le 4-t als% 4e$a-se %f its eas+ fa4&i$ati%n, 3it#%-t 1-$# %pp%&t-nit+ at $#e$8in' %& &e4-ttin'
it. It 1-st 4e p&%ve 4+ p%sitive, $lea&, an satisfa$t%&+ evien$e, an 3#en t#e a$$-se 3e&e ientifie 4+ t#e
3itnesses f%& t#e p&%se$-ti%n 4+ $lea&, e2pli$it an p%sitive testi1%n+, t#e ali4i 3ill n%t 4e $&eite. In
n-1e&%-s &e$ent $ases t%% 1an+ t% en-1e&ate, t#is !%-&t #as &epeatel+ &eite&ate t#e &-le t#at t#e efense
%f ali4i $ann%t p&evail %ve& t#e p%sitive ientifi$ati%n %f t#e a$$-se 4+ t#e 3itnesses f%& t#e p&%se$-ti%n an
t#at t% esta4lis# it, an a$$-se 1-st s#%3 t#at #e 3as at s%1e %t#e& pla$e f%& s-$# a pe&i% %f ti1e t#at it 3as
i1p%ssi4le f%& #i1 t% #ave 4een at t#e pla$e 3#e&e t#e $&i1e 3as $%11itte at t#e ti1e %f its $%11issi%n. In
t#e instant $ase, appellant 3as, as ea&lie& state, p%sitivel+ ientifie 4+ t#e p&in$ipal 3itnesses f%& t#e
p&%se$-ti%n9 4esies, #e i n%t even atte1pt t% esta4lis# t#at it 3as i1p%ssi4le f%& #i1 t% 4e at t#e pla$e
3#e&e t#e $&i1e 3as $%11itte.
Re+es vs !A
Fa$ts"
,-an (en%@a, fat#e& %f #e&ein efenant Ol+1pi% (en%@a, is t#e %3ne& %f fa&1 l%ts in Pa1pan'a. Dev%te
t% t#e p&%-$ti%n %f pala+, t#e l%ts 3e&e tenante an $-ltivate 4+ ,-lian ela !&-@, #-s4an %f plaintiff
E-f&%$ina ela !&-@. Afte& t#e eat# %f ,-lian ie %n Septe14e& *=, )/0/, E-f&%$ina file a $%1plaint, alle'in'
t#at -p%n t#e eat# %f ,-lian, s#e s-$$eee #i1 as 4%na fie tenant %f t#e s-4Ce$t l%ts9 t#at 4et3een ,-l+ 0 t%
,-l+ )=, )/G<, Ol+1pi% (en%@a, in $%nspi&a$+ 3it# t#e %t#e& efenants, p&evente #e& a-'#te& Vi%leta an
#e& 3%&8e&s t#&%-'# f%&$e, inti1iati%n, st&ate'+ an stealt#, f&%1 ente&in' an 3%&8in' %n t#e s-4Ce$t
p&e1ises9 efenants #a &ef-se t% va$ate an s-&&ene& t#e l%ts. Plaintiff p&a+e f%& C-'1ent f%& t#e
&e$%ve&+ %f p%ssessi%n an a1a'es 3it# a 3&it %f p&eli1ina&+ 1anat%&+ inC-n$ti%n.
D-&in' t#e penen$+ %f t#e $ase in t#e l%3e& $%-&t, (en%@a 3as in p%ssessi%n %f t#e s-4Ce$t l%ts an #a
$-ltivate t#e sa1e. 5p%n 1%ti%n %f plaintiff, t#e $%-&t i&e$te its Dep-t+ S#e&iff t% s-pe&vise t#e #a&vestin' %f
t#e pala+ $&%ps, t% $a-se t#e t#&es#in' t#e&e%f an t% ep%sit t#e net #a&vest, in a 4%ne 3a&e#%-se %f t#e
l%$alit+ s-4Ce$t t% t#e isp%siti%n %f t#e $%-&t.
Iss-e"
In an a'&a&ian isp-te inv%lvin' tenan$+ &elati%ns, 3#at >-ant-1 %f evien$e is &e>-i&e t% esta4lis# %neHs
$lai1B
Hel"
In a'&a&ian $ases, t#e >-ant-1 %f evien$e &e>-i&e is n% 1%&e t#an s-4stantial evien$e. T#is s-4stantial
evien$e &-le 3as in$%&p%&ate in se$ti%n )G, P.D. N%. /<F. S-4stantial evien$e %es n%t ne$essa&il+ i1p%&t
p&ep%ne&ant evien$e, as is &e>-i&e in an %&ina&+ $ivil $ase. It #as 4een efine t% 4e s-$# &elevant
evien$e as a &eas%na4le 1in 1i'#t a$$ept as ae>-ate t% s-pp%&t a $%n$l-si%n an its a4sen$e is n%t
s#%3n 4+ st&essin' t#at t#e&e is $%nt&a&+ evien$e %n &e$%&, i&e$t %& $i&$-1stantial, f%& t#e appellate $%-&t
$ann%t s-4stit-te its %3n C-'1ent %& $&ite&ia f%& t#at %f t#e t&ial $%-&t in ete&1inin' 3#e&ein lies t#e 3ei'#t %f
evien$e %& 3#at evien$e is entitle t% 4elief.
AS5N!ION S. LIG5ID, $%1plainant, vs. ,5DGE POLI!ARPIO S. !A(ANO, ,R., Re'i%nal T&ial !%-&t, B&an$#
=G, Ti'a%n, !a1a&ines S-&, &esp%nent.
Fa$ts"
In )/0= Li'-i 1et !a1an%, 3#% 3as t#en a Fi&st Lie-tenant at t#e ,-'e Av%$ate Gene&alHs Offi$e in
San'le+ Naval Base, !avite. As a la3+e&, &esp%nent &ep&esente $%1plainant in s%1e le'al 1atte&s affe$tin'
#e& 4-siness. T#ei& $l%se ass%$iati%n an $%nstant $%11-ni$ati%n le t% a &%1anti$ &elati%ns#ip 4et3een t#e
t3%. T#e+ live t%'et#e& as #-s4an an 3ife an 4e'%t a $#il, na1e ,%anne L. !a1an%.
Afte& seve&al +ea&s %f $%#a4itati%n, t#e+ event-all+ sepa&ate. Li'-i 3ent t% t#e 5nite States an 1a&&ie an
A1e&i$an, F&an8 Pe$%t. (ean3#ile, &esp%nent 3as app%inte 1-ni$ipal C-'e %f Baa%, !a1a&ines S-& in
)/G., an late& as p&esiin' C-'e %f t#e Re'i%nal T&ial !%-&t %f Ti'a%n, !a1a&ines S-& in )//=.
On N%ve14e& 0, )//0, $%1plainant file a $%1plaint a'ainst &esp%nent C-'e f%& a4an%n1ent, is#%nest+,
%pp&essi%n, e$eit, i11%&alit+ an 1is$%n-$t in %ffi$e. S#e p&a+e t#at &esp%nent 4e #el a1inist&ativel+
lia4le an t#at #e 4e %&e&e t% 'ive &e'-la& s-pp%&t t% t#ei& $#il, ,%anne.
Iss-e"
In an a1inist&ative $ase a'ainst a C-'e, 3#en is t#e&e s-4stantial evien$e as t% C-stif+ $%nvi$ti%nB
Hel"
S-4stantial evien$e is t#at a1%-nt %f &elevant evien$e 3#i$# a &eas%na4le 1in 1i'#t a$$ept as ae>-ate
t% C-stif+ a $%n$l-si%n. T#e stana& %f s-4stantial evien$e is satisfie 3#en t#e&e is &eas%na4le '&%-n t%
4elieve t#at &esp%nent is &esp%nsi4le f%& t#e 1is$%n-$t $%1plaine %f, even if s-$# evien$e 1i'#t n%t 4e
%ve&3#el1in' %& even p&ep%ne&ant.
In t#e $ase at 4a&, 3e fin %ve&3#el1in' %$-1enta&+ p&%%f %f &esp%nent C-'eHs pe&fi+. T#e $%1peten$e
an s-4stantialit+ %f t#e pi$t-&es, lette&s, affiavits an %t#e& %$-1ents s-41itte 4+ $%1plainant, 3#ile n%t
s-ffi$ient t% satisf+ t#e >-ant-1 %f p&ep%ne&an$e &e>-i&e in %&ina&+ $ivil a$ti%ns, ass-1es '&eate& an even
e$isive 3ei'#t in a1inist&ative p&%$eein's 3#e&e affiavits 1a+ ta8e t#e pla$e %f a 3itnessH i&e$t
testi1%n+.
Pe%ple v D%1in'% Re+es, et al.
Fa$ts"
On ,-l+ )F, )///, t#e 7a% fa1il+, %n 4%a& t#ei& van, a&&ive at t#e t#ei& p%-lt&+ fa&1 in B-la$an. 7a% San
ali'#te f&%1 t#e van t% %pen t#e 'ate %f t#e fa&1. At t#is C-n$t-&e, appellant Re+es an a $e&tain ,-anit%
Pata&a+ app&%a$#e, p%8e t#ei& '-ns at 7a% San, an &a''e #i1 insie t#e van. Re+es an Pata&a+ als%
4%a&e t#e van. T#en, appellants A&nal% an Fl%&es, 3it# t3% 1ale $%1pani%ns, all a&1e 3it# '-ns, a&&ive
an i11eiatel+ 4%a&e t#e van. Appellant Fl%&es t%%8 t#e &ive&Hs seat an &%ve t#e van. T#e
a$$-sePappellants 4linf%le ea$# 1e14e& %f t#e 7a% fa1il+. Afte& a4%-t .? 1in-tes %f t&avelin' %n t#e
&%a, !#-a On' Pin' Si1, R%4e&t, Ra+1%n an ,%na A4a'atnan steppe %-t %f t#e van 3it# Re+es an
A&nal%, Pata&a+ an %ne %f t#ei& 1ale $%1pani%ns. T#en Fl%&es an #is 1ale $%1pani%n t%l 7a% San t%
p&%-$e t#e a1%-nt %f five 1illi%n pes%s as &ans%1 in e2$#an'e f%& t#e &elease %f !#-a On' Pin' Si1,
R%4e&t, Ra+1%n an A4a'atnan. T#e&eafte&, Fl%&es an #is 1ale $%1pani%n left t#e van an fle9 3#ile 7a%
San, Lenn+, (att#e3, !#a&lene an ,%sep#ine &e1aine insie t#e van. On ,-l+ *., )///, t#e $%&pses %f
!#-a On' Pin' Si1 an Ra+1%n 3e&e f%-n at t#e La (esa Da1, N%vali$#es, L-e@%n !it+. B%t# ie %f
asp#+2ia 4+ st&an'-lati%n.
Iss-e"
S#all t#e $%-&t ta8e $&een$e %n t#e $lai1 %f t#e appellants t#at t#e+ 3e&e f%&$e t% a1it t#e $&i1e as
$#a&'eB
R-lin'"
N%. Appellants A&nal% an Fl%&es faile t% is$#a&'e t#ei& 4-&en %f p&%vin' t#at t#e+ 3e&e f%&$e %& $%e&$e
t% 1a8e t#ei& &espe$tive $%nfessi%ns. Ot#e& t#an t#ei& self-se&vin' state1ents t#at t#e+ 3e&e 1alt&eate 4+ t#e
PAO!TF %ffi$e&sPa'ents, t#e+ i n%t p&esent an+ pla-si4le p&%%f t% s-4stantiate t#ei& $lai1s.la3T#e+ i n%t
s-41it an+ 1ei$al &ep%&t s#%3in' t#at t#ei& 4%ies 3e&e s-4Ce$te t% vi%len$e %& t%&t-&e. Neit#e& i t#e+ file
$%1plaints a'ainst t#e pe&s%ns 3#% #a alle'el+ 4eaten %& f%&$e t#e1 t% e2e$-te t#ei& &espe$tive
$%nfessi%ns espite seve&al %pp%&t-nities t% % s%. Appellants A&nal% an Fl%&es ave&&e t#at t#e+ inf%&1e
t#ei& fa1il+ 1e14e&sP&elatives %f t#e alle'e 1alt&eat1ent, 4-t t#e latte& i n%t &ep%&t s-$# alle'ati%ns t%
p&%pe& a-t#%&ities. On t#e $%nt&a&+, appellants A&nal% an Fl%&es e$la&e in t#ei& &espe$tive $%nfessi%ns t#at
t#e+ 3e&e n%t f%&$e %& #a&1e in 'ivin' t#ei& s3%&n state1ents, an t#at t#e+ 3e&e n%t p&%1ise %& 'iven an+
a3a& in $%nsie&ati%n %f t#e sa1e. Re$%&s als% 4ea& %-t t#at t#e+ 3e&e p#+si$all+ e2a1ine 4+ %$t%&s
4ef%&e t#e+ 1ae t#ei& $%nfessi%ns.
PEOPLE vs. RO(5LO T5NIA!O
Fa$ts"
T-nia$%, Dat-la+ta, an Ale1a 3e&e $#a&'e %f 1-&e& 4ef%&e RT! %f GenSAn. S%1e p%li$e %ffi$e&s
&e>-este p%li$e %ffi$e& ,ai1e Ta4-$%n ivisi%n t% ta8e t#e state1ent %f a$$-se Ale2 Ale1an &e'a&in' t#e
sla+in' %f a $e&tain D%n%n !%&te@. Ta4-$%n n%te t#e p&esen$e %f Att+. R-pe&t% Besin'a, ,&. %f t#e P-4li$
Att%&ne+Hs Offi$e :PAO; 3#% 3as $%nve&sin' 3it# t#%se ta8en int% $-st%+ f%& t#e %ffense. 6#en >-e&ie if t#e
s-spe$ts 3%-l 4e 3illin' t% 'ive t#ei& state1ents, Att+. Besin'a sai t#at t#e+ 3e&e. Afte& ta8in' %3n t#e
state1ent, Ta4-$%n e2plaine t#e s-4stan$e %f it t% a$$-se Ale1an 3#% t#en si'ne it in t#e p&esen$e %f
Att+. Besin'a. Alt#%-'# t#e p&%se$-ti%n an efense stip-late t#at Att+. Besin'a assiste a$$-se Ale1an
-&in' t#e ta8in' %f #is e2t&aC-i$ial $%nfessi%n, t#e latte&, #%3eve&, &e$ante 3#at #e sai t% t#e p%li$e -&in'
t#e t&ial, sa+in' t#at #e 3as t%&t-&e -ntil #e a'&ee t% si'n a %$-1ent a1ittin' #is pa&t in t#e $&i1e. He
even enie eve& 8n%3in' Att+. Besin'a an f-&t#e& enie p&i%& ass%$iati%n 3it# a$$-se T-nia$% an
Dat-la+ta. He sai t#at #e 1et t#e1 %nl+ at t#e $it+ Cail 3#e&e t#e+ 3e&e etaine f%& t#e eat# %f !%&te@.
ISS5E" 3#et#e& %& n%t a$$-se Ale1anHs e2t&aC-i$ial $%nfessi%n is a1issi4le in evien$e.
HELD" 7es. !%nfessi%n t% 4e a1issi4le 1-st 4e a; v%l-nta&+9 4; 1ae 3it# t#e assistan$e %f a $%1petent
an inepenent $%-nsel9 $; e2p&ess9 an ; in 3&itin'. T#ese &e>-i&e1ents 3e&e p&esent in t#is $ase. A
la3+e&, n%t 3%&8in' 3it# %& 3as n%t 4e#%len t% t#e p%li$e, Att+. Besin'a, assiste a$$-se Ale1an -&in' t#e
$-st%ial investi'ati%n. It is i1p&%4a4le t#at t#e p%li$e fa4&i$ate Ale1anHs $%nfessi%n an C-st f%&$e #i1 t%
si'n it. T#e $%nfessi%n #as etails t#at %nl+ t#e pe&s%n 3#% $%11itte t#e $&i1e $%-l #ave p%ssi4l+ 8n%3n.
6#at is 1%&e, a$$-se Dat-la+taHs $%nfessi%n $%&&%4%&ate t#at %f Ale1an in i1p%&tant etails. 5ne& t#e
%$t&ine %f inte&l%$8in' $%nfessi%ns, s-$# $%&&%4%&ati%n is $i&$-1stantial evien$e a'ainst t#e pe&s%n
i1pli$ate in it.