Vizconde Case

7/25/2019 Vizconde Case

1/28

EN BANC

ANTONIO LEJANO, G.R. No. 176389Petitioner, Present:

CORONA, C . J ., CARPIO, CARPIO MORALES,

VELASCO, JR., NACHURA,

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,- versus - RION,

PERALTA, ERSAMIN, DEL CASTILLO, A AD, VILLARAMA, JR., PERE!, MENDO!A, "n# SERENO, JJ .

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Res$on#ent. % --------------------------------------------- % PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, G.R. No. 176864

A$$e&&ee,

- versus - HUBERT JEFFREY P. WEBB,ANTONIO LEJANO, MICHAELA. GATCHALIAN, HOSPICIOFERNAN E!, MIGUEL RO RIGUE!,PETER ESTRA A "#$ GERAR O Pro'u&("te#:BIONG,

A$$e&&"nts. De)e'*er + , + % ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- %

DECISION

ABA , J .:

B%&'( B")*+%o #$

On June / , +00+ Estre&&it" Vi1)on#e "n# 2er #"u(2ters C"r'e&", nineteen 3e"rs o, "n#

Jenni4er, seven, 5ere *rut"&&3 s&"in "t t2eir 2o'e in P"r"6"7ue Cit3. 8o&&o5in( "n intense investi("tion,


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t2e $o&i)e "rreste# " (rou$ o4 sus$e)ts, so'e o4 52o' ("ve #et"i&e# )on4essions. ut t2e tri"& )ourt

s'e&&e# " 4r"'e-u$ "n# eventu"&&3 or#ere# t2e' #is)2"r(e#. T2us, t2e i#entities o4 t2e re"& $er$etr"tors

re'"ine# " '3ster3 es$e)i"&&3 to t2e $u*&i) 52ose interests 5ere "rouse# *3 t2e (ri$$in( #et"i&s o4 52"t

ever3*o#3 re4erre# to "s t2e Vi1)on#e '"ss")re.

8our 3e"rs &"ter in +009, t2e N"tion"& ure"u o4 Investi("tion or N I "nnoun)e# t2"t it 2"#

so&ve# t2e )ri'e. It $resente# st"r-5itness Jessi)" M. A&4"ro, one o4 its in4or'ers, 52o )&"i'e# t2"t s2e

5itnesse# t2e )ri'e. S2e $ointe# to "))use# Hu*ert Je44re3 P. e**, Antonio ;Ton3 o3< Le="no,

Arte'io ;Don(< Ventur", Mi)2"e& A. >"t)2"&i"n, Hos$i)io ;P3?e< 8ern"n#e1, Peter Estr"#", Mi(ue&

;>in(< Ro#ri(ue1, "n# Joe3 8i&"rt "s t2e )u&$rits. S2e "&so t"((e# "))use# $o&i)e o44i)er, >er"r#o ion(,

"s "n "))essor3 "4ter t2e 4")t. Re&3in( $ri'"ri&3 on A&4"ro@s testi'on3, on Au(ust + , +009 t2e $u*&i)

$rose)utors 4i&e# "n in4or'"tion 4or r"$e 5it2 2o'i)i#e "("inst e**, et al . +B

T2e Re(ion"& Tri"& Court o4 P"r"6"7ue Cit3, r"n)2 , $resi#e# over *3 Ju#(e A'e&it" >.

To&entino, trie# on&3 seven o4 t2e "))use# sin)e Arte'io Ventur" "n# Joe3 8i&"rt re'"ine# "t &"r(e. B T2e

$rose)ution $resente# A&4"ro "s its '"in 5itness 5it2 t2e ot2ers )orro*or"tin( 2er testi'on3. T2ese

in)&u#e# t2e 'e#i)o-&e("& o44i)er 52o "uto$sie# t2e *o#ies o4 t2e vi)ti's, t2e se)urit3 (u"r#s o4 Piton(

D""n Su*#ivision, t2e 4or'er &"un#r35o'"n o4 t2e e** s 2ouse2o, $o&i)e o44i)er ion( s 4or'er

(ir&4rien#, "n# L"uro >. Vi1)on#e, Estre&&it" s 2us*"n#.

8or t2eir $"rt, so'e o4 t2e "))use# testi4ie#, #en3in( "n3 $"rt in t2e )ri'e "n# s"3in( t2e3 5ere

e&se52ere 52en it too? $&")e. e** s "&i*i "$$e"re# t2e stron(est sin)e 2e )&"i'e# t2"t 2e 5"s t2en

")ross t2e o)e"n in t2e Unite# St"tes o4 A'eri)". He $resente# t2e testi'onies o4 5itnesses "s 5e&& "s

#o)u'ent"r3 "n# o*=e)t evi#en)e to $rove t2is. In "##ition, t2e #e4ense $resente# 5itnesses to s2o5

A&4"ro@s *"# re$ut"tion 4or trut2 "n# t2e in)re#i*&e n"ture o4 2er testi'on3.

ut i'$resse# *3 A&4"ro s #et"i&e# n"rr"tion o4 t2e )ri'e "n# t2e events surroun#in( it, t2e tri"&

)ourt 4oun# " )re#i*&e 5itness in 2er. It note# 2er )"te(ori)"&, str"i(2t4or5"r#, s$ont"neous, "n# 4r"n?

testi'on3, un#"'"(e# *3 (rue&in( )ross-e%"'in"tions. T2e tri"& )ourt re'"ine# un4"1e# *3 si(ni4i)"nt

#is)re$"n)ies *et5een A&4"ro s A$ri& "n# M"3 , +009 "44i#"vits, "))e$tin( 2er e%$&"n"tion t2"t s2e"t 4irst 5"nte# to $rote)t 2er 4or'er *o34rien#, "))use# Estr"#", "n# " re&"tive, "))use# >"t)2"&i"nF t2"t

no &"53er "ssiste# 2erF t2"t s2e #i# not trust t2e investi("tors 52o 2e&$e# 2er $re$"re 2er 4irst "44i#"vitF

"n# t2"t s2e 4e&t unsure i4 s2e 5ou (et t2e su$$ort "n# se)urit3 s2e nee#e# on)e s2e #is)&ose# "&& "*out

t2e Vi1)on#e ?i&&in(s.
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In )ontr"st, t2e tri"& )ourt t2ou(2t &itt&e o4 t2e #eni"&s "n# "&i*is t2"t e**, Le="no, Ro#ri(ue1,

"n# >"t)2"&i"n set u$ 4or t2eir #e4ense. T2e3 $"&e#, "))or#in( to t2e )ourt, )o'$"re# to A&4"ro s

testi'on3 t2"t ot2er 5itnesses "n# t2e $23si)"& evi#en)e )orro*or"te#. T2us, on J"nu"r3 , , "4ter

4our 3e"rs o4 "r#uous 2e"rin(s, t2e tri"& )ourt ren#ere# =u#('ent, 4in#in( "&& t2e "))use# (ui&t3 "s )2"r(e#

"n# i'$osin( on e**, Le="no, >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", "n# Ro#ri(ue1 t2e $en"&t3 o4 re)&usion

$er$etu" "n# on ion(, "n in#eter'in"te $rison ter' o4 e&even 3e"rs, 4our 'ont2s, "n# one #"3 to t5e&ve

3e"rs. T2e tri"& )ourt "&so "5"r#e# #"'"(es to L"uro Vi1)on#e. /B

On "$$e"&, t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s "44ir'e# t2e tri"& )ourt s #e)ision, 'o#i43in( t2e $en"&t3

i'$ose# on ion( to si% 3e"rs 'ini'u' "n# t5e&ve 3e"rs '"%i'u' "n# in)re"sin( t2e "5"r# o4

#"'"(es to L"uro Vi1)on#e. B T2e "$$e&&"te )ourt #i# not "(ree t2"t t2e "))use# 5ere trie# *3 $u*&i)it3

or t2"t t2e tri"& =u#(e 5"s *i"se#. It 4oun# su44i)ient evi#en)e o4 )ons$ir")3 t2"t ren#ere# Ro#ri(ue1,

>"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, "n# Estr"#" e7u"&&3 (ui&t3 5it2 t2ose 52o 2"# " $"rt in r"$in( "n# ?i&&in(C"r'e&" "n# in e%e)utin( 2er 'ot2er "n# sister.

On 'otion 4or re)onsi#er"tion *3 t2e "))use#, t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s@ S$e)i"& Division o4 4ive

'e'*ers vote# t2ree "("inst t5o to #en3 t2e 'otion, 9B 2en)e, t2e $resent "$$e"&.

On A$ri& , + , "s " resu&t o4 its initi"& #e&i*er"tion in t2is )"se, t2e Court issue# " Reso&ution

(r"ntin( t2e re7uest o4 e** to su*'it 4or DNA "n"&3sis t2e se'en s$e)i'en t"?en 4ro' C"r'e&" s

)"#"ver, 52i)2 s$e)i'en 5"s t2en *e&ieve# sti&& un#er t2e s"4e?ee$in( o4 t2e N I. T2e Court (r"nte# t2e

re7uest $ursu"nt to se)tion o4 t2e Ru&e on DNA Evi#en)e GB to (ive t2e "))use# "n# t2e $rose)ution

"))ess to s)ienti4i) evi#en)e t2"t t2e3 'i(2t 5"nt to "v"i& t2e'se&ves o4, &e"#in( to " )orre)t #e)ision in

t2e )"se.

Un4ortun"te&3, on A$ri& , + t2e N I in4or'e# t2e Court t2"t it no &on(er 2"s )usto#3 o4 t2e

s$e)i'en, t2e s"'e 2"vin( *een turne# over to t2e tri"& )ourt. T2e tri"& re)or# s2o5s, 2o5ever, t2"t t2e

s$e)i'en 5"s not "'on( t2e o*=e)t evi#en)e t2"t t2e $rose)ution o44ere# in evi#en)e in t2e )"se.

T2is out)o'e $ro'$te# "))use# e** to 4i&e "n ur(ent 'otion to ")7uit on t2e (roun# t2"t t2e(overn'ent s 4"i&ure to $reserve su)2 vit"& evi#en)e 2"s resu&te# in t2e #eni"& o4 2is ri(2t to #ue $ro)ess.

I-- '- P%'-'# '$
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A))use# e** s 'otion to ")7uit $resents " t2res2o issue: 52et2er or not t2e Court s2ou

")7uit 2i' outri(2t, (iven t2e (overn'ent s 4"i&ure to $ro#u)e t2e se'en s$e)i'en t2"t t2e N I 4oun# on

C"r'e&" s )"#"ver, t2us #e$rivin( 2i' o4 evi#en)e t2"t 5ou $rove 2is inno)en)e.

In t2e '"in, "&& t2e "))use# r"ise t2e )entr"& issue o4 52et2er or not e**, ")tin( in )ons$ir")3

5it2 Le="no, >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", Ro#ri(ue1, Ventur", "n# 8i&"rt, r"$e# "n# ?i&&e# C"r'e&"

"n# $ut to #e"t2 2er 'ot2er "n# sister. ut, u&ti'"te&3, t2e )ontro&&in( issues "re:

+. 2et2er or not A&4"ro s testi'on3 "s e3e5itness, #es)ri*in( t2e )ri'e "n# i#enti43in(

e**, Le="no, >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", Ro#ri(ue1, "n# t5o ot2ers "s t2e $ersons 52o )o''itte#

it, is entit&e# to *e&ie4F "n#

. 2et2er or not e** $resente# su44i)ient evi#en)e to $rove 2is "&i*i "n# re*ut A&4"ro s

testi'on3 t2"t 2e &e# t2e ot2ers in )o''ittin( t2e )ri'e.

T2e issue res$e)tin( "))use# ion( is 52et2er or not 2e ")te# to )over u$ t2e )ri'e "4ter its

)o''ission.

T/' R&+/ o A)0 & "' o Lo-- o( NA E2&$'#)'

e** )&"i's, )itin( Brady v. Maryland , B t2"t 2e is entit&e# to outri(2t ")7uitt"& on t2e (roun# o4

vio&"tion o4 2is ri(2t to #ue $ro)ess (iven t2e St"te s 4"i&ure to $ro#u)e on or#er o4 t2e Court eit2er *3ne(&i(en)e or 5i&&4u& su$$ression t2e se'en s$e)i'en t"?en 4ro' C"r'e&".

T2e 'e#i)"& evi#en)e )&e"r&3 est"*&is2e# t2"t C"r'e&" 5"s r"$e# "n#, )onsistent 5it2 t2is, se'en

s$e)i'en 5"s 4oun# in 2er. It is true t2"t A&4"ro i#enti4ie# e** in 2er testi'on3 "s C"r'e&" s r"$ist "n#

?i&&er *ut serious 7uestions 2"# *een r"ise# "*out 2er )re#i*i&it3. At t2e ver3 &e"st, t2ere e%ists "

$ossi*i&it3 t2"t A&4"ro 2"# &ie#. On t2e ot2er 2"n#, t2e se'en s$e)i'en t"?en 4ro' C"r'e&" )"nnot

$ossi*&3 &ie. It )"nnot *e )o")2e# or "&&ure# *3 " $ro'ise o4 re5"r# or 4in"n)i"& su$$ort. No t5o $ersons

2"ve t2e s"'e DNA 4in(er$rint, 5it2 t2e e%)e$tion o4 i#enti)"& t5ins. B I4, on e%"'in"tion, t2e DNA o4

t2e su*=e)t s$e)i'en #oes not *e&on( to e**, t2en 2e #i# not r"$e C"r'e&". It is t2"t si'$&e. T2us, t2e

Court 5ou 2"ve *een "*&e to #eter'ine t2"t A&4"ro )o''itte# $er=ur3 in s"3in( t2"t 2e #i#.

Sti&&, e** is not entit&e# to ")7uitt"& 4or t2e 4"i&ure o4 t2e St"te to $ro#u)e t2e se'en s$e)i'en "t

t2is &"te st"(e. 8or one t2in(, t2e ru&in( in Brady v. Maryland 0B t2"t 2e )ites 2"s &on( *e overt"?en *3 t2e

#e)ision in Arizona v. Youngblood , + B 52ere t2e U.S. Su$re'e Court 2e t2"t #ue $ro)ess #oes not
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re7uire t2e St"te to $reserve t2e se'en s$e)i'en "&t2ou(2 it 'i(2t *e use4u& to t2e "))use# un&ess t2e

&"tter is "*&e to s2o5 *"# 4"it2 on t2e $"rt o4 t2e $rose)ution or t2e $o&i)e. Here, t2e St"te $resente# "

'e#i)"& e%$ert 52o testi4ie# on t2e e%isten)e o4 t2e s$e)i'en "n# e** in 4")t sou(2t to 2"ve t2e s"'e

su*=e)te# to DNA test.

8or, "not2er, 52en e** r"ise# t2e DNA issue, t2e ru&e (overnin( DNA evi#en)e #i# not 3et

e%ist, t2e )ountr3 #i# not 3et 2"ve t2e te)2no&o(3 4or )on#u)tin( t2e test, "n# no P2i&i$$ine $re)e#ent 2"#

"s 3et re)o(ni1e# its "#'issi*i&it3 "s evi#en)e. Conse7uent&3, t2e i#e" o4 ?ee$in( t2e s$e)i'en se)ure

even "4ter t2e tri"& )ourt re=e)te# t2e 'otion 4or DNA testin( #i# not )o'e u$. In#ee#, neit2er e** nor

2is )o-"))use# *rou(2t u$ t2e '"tter o4 $reservin( t2e s$e)i'en in t2e 'e"nti'e.

P"rent2eti)"&&3, "4ter t2e tri"& )ourt #enie# e** s "$$&i)"tion 4or DNA testin(, 2e "&&o5e# t2e

$ro)ee#in( to 'ove on 52en 2e 2"# on "t &e"st t5o o))"sions (one u$ to t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s or t2eSu$re'e Court to )2"&&en(e "&&e(e# "r*itr"r3 ")tions t"?en "("inst 2i' "n# t2e ot2er "))use#. ++B T2e3

r"ise# t2e DNA issue *e4ore t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s *ut 'ere&3 "s "n error )o''itte# *3 t2e tri"& )ourt in

ren#erin( its #e)ision in t2e )"se. None o4 t2e "))use# 4i&e# " 'otion 5it2 t2e "$$e"&s )ourt to 2"ve t2e

DNA test #one $en#in( "#=u#i)"tion o4 t2eir "$$e"&. T2is, even 52en t2e Su$re'e Court 2"# in t2e

'e"nti'e $"sse# t2e ru&es "&&o5in( su)2 test. Consi#erin( t2e "))use# s &")? o4 interest in 2"vin( su)2

test #one, t2e St"te )"nnot *e #ee'e# $ut on re"son"*&e noti)e t2"t it 5ou *e re7uire# to $ro#u)e t2e

se'en s$e)i'en "t so'e 4uture ti'e.

No5, to t2e 'erit o4 t2e )"se.

A ("%o - S o%

"se# on t2e $rose)ution s version, )u&&e# 4ro' t2e #e)isions o4 t2e tri"& )ourt "n# t2e Court o4

A$$e"&s, on June 0, +00+ "t "roun# :/ in t2e evenin(, Jessi)" A&4"ro #rove 2er Mitsu*is2i L"n)er, 5it2

*o34rien# Peter Estr"#" "s $"ssen(er, to t2e A3"&" A&"*"n( Co''er)i"& Center $"r?in( &ot to

*u3 shabu 4ro' Arte'io ;Don(< Ventur". T2ere, Ventur" intro#u)e# 2er to 2is 4rien#s: Hu*ert Je44re3 P.

e**, Antonio ;Ton3 o3< Le="no, Mi(ue& ;>in(< Ro#ri(ue1, Hos$i)io ;P3?e< 8ern"n#e1, Mi)2"e&>"t)2"&i"n, "n# Joe3 8i&"rt. A&4"ro re)"&&e# 4re7uent&3 seein( t2e' "t " shabu 2ouse in P"r"6"7ue in

J"nu"r3 +00+, e%)e$t Ventur" 52o' s2e 2"# ?no5n e"r&ier in De)e'*er +00 .

As A&4"ro s'o?e# 2er s2"*u, e** "$$ro")2e# "n# re7ueste# 2er to re&"3 " 'ess"(e 4or 2i' to "

(ir&, 52o' s2e &"ter i#enti4ie# "s C"r'e&" Vi1)on#e. A&4"ro "(ree#. A4ter usin( u$ t2eir s2"*u, t2e (rou$

#rove to C"r'e&" s 2ouse "t Vin1ons Street, Piton( D""n Su*#ivision, 8
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Ho'es, P"r"6"7ue Cit3. Ri#in( in 2er )"r, A&4"ro "n# Estr"#" tr"i&e# 8i&"rt "n# Ro#ri(ue1 52o ro#e "

M"1#" $i)?-u$ "n# e**, Le="no, Ventur", 8ern"n#e1, "n# >"t)2"&i"n 52o 5ere on " Niss"n P"tro& )"r.

On re")2in( t2eir #estin"tion, A&4"ro $"r?e# 2er )"r on Vin1ons Street, "&i(2te#, "n# "$$ro")2e#

C"r'e&" s 2ouse. A&4"ro $resse# t2e *u11er "n# " 5o'"n )"'e out. A&4"ro 7uerie# 2er "*out

C"r'e&". A&4"ro 2"# 'et C"r'e&" t5i)e *e4ore in J"nu"r3 +00+. 2en C"r'e&" )"'e out, A&4"ro ("ve

2er e** s 'ess"(e t2"t 2e 5"s =ust "roun#. C"r'e&" re$&ie#, 2o5ever, t2"t s2e )ou not (o out 3et

sin)e s2e 2"# =ust "rrive# 2o'e. S2e to A&4"ro to return "4ter t5ent3 'inutes. A&4"ro re&"3e# t2is to

e** 52o t2en to t2e (rou$ to #rive *")? to t2e A3"&" A&"*"n( Co''er)i"& Center.

T2e (rou$ 2"# "not2er shabu session "t t2e $"r?in( &ot. A4ter so'eti'e, t2e3 #rove *")? *ut

on&3 A&4"ro $ro)ee#e# to Vin1ons Street 52ere C"r'e&" &ive#. T2e Niss"n P"tro& "n# t2e M"1#" $i)?-u$,

5it2 t2eir $"ssen(ers, $"r?e# so'e52ere "&on( A(uirre Avenue. C"r'e&" 5"s "t t2eir ("r#en. S2e"$$ro")2e# A&4"ro on seein( 2er "n# to t2e &"tter t2"t s2e C"r'e&" 2"# to &e"ve t2e 2ouse 4or "

52i&e. C"r'e&" re7ueste# A&4"ro to return *e4ore 'i#ni(2t "n# s2e 5ou &e"ve t2e $e#estri"n ("te, t2e

iron (ri&&s t2"t &e# to t2e ?it)2en, "n# t2e ?it)2en #oor un&o)?e#. C"r'e&" "&so to A&4"ro to *&in? 2er

)"r s 2e"#&i(2ts t5i)e 52en s2e "$$ro")2e# t2e $e#estri"n ("te so C"r'e&" 5ou ?no5 t2"t s2e 2"#

"rrive#.

A&4"ro returne# to 2er )"r *ut 5"ite# 4or C"r'e&" to #rive out o4 t2e 2ouse in 2er o5n )"r. A&4"ro

tr"i&e# C"r'e&" u$ to A(uirre Avenue 52ere s2e #ro$$e# o44 " '"n 52o' A&4"ro *e&ieve# 5"s C"r'e&" s

*o34rien#. A&4"ro &oo?e# 4or 2er (rou$, 4oun# t2e', "n# re&"3e# C"r'e&" s instru)tions to e**. T2e3

t2en "&& 5ent *")? to t2e A3"&"A&"*"n( Co''er)i"& Center. At t2e $"r?in( &ot, A&4"ro to t2e (rou$

"*out 2er t"&? 5it2 C"r'e&". 2en s2e to e** o4 C"r'e&" s '"&e )o'$"nion, e** s 'oo# )2"n(e#

4or t2e rest o4 t2e evenin( bad trip .

e** ("ve out 4ree )o)"ine. T2e3 "&& use# it "n# so'e shabu , too. A4ter "*out to 9 'inutes,

e** #e)i#e# t2"t it 5"s ti'e 4or t2e' to &e"ve. He s"i#, Pipilahan natin siya C"r'e&"B at ako ang

mauuna. Le="no s"i#, Ako ang susunod "n# t2e ot2ers res$on#e# kay! okay. T2e3 "&& &e4t t2e

$"r?in( &ot in " )onvo3 o4 t2ree ve2i)&es "n# #rove into Piton( D""n Su*#ivision 4or t2e t2ir# ti'e. T2e3"rrive# "t C"r'e&" s 2ouse s2ort&3 *e4ore 'i#ni(2t.

A&4"ro $"r?e# 2er )"r *et5een Vi1)on#e s 2ouse "n# t2e ne%t. 2i&e 5"itin( 4or t2e ot2ers to

"&i(2t 4ro' t2eir )"rs, 8ern"n#e1 "$$ro")2e# A&4"ro 5it2 " su((estion t2"t t2e3 *&o5 u$ t2e tr"ns4or'er

ne"r t2e Vi1)on#e s resi#en)e to )"use " *ro5nout Pasabugin kaya natin ang trans"ormer na ito#. ut

A&4"ro s2ru((e# o44 t2e i#e", te&&in( 8ern"n#e1, Malakas lang ang tama mo. 2en e**, Le="no,


7/28

"n# Ventur" 5ere "&re"#3 *e4ore t2e 2ouse, e** to t2e ot2ers "("in t2"t t2e3 5ou &ine u$ 4or

C"r'e&" *ut 2e 5ou *e t2e 4irst. T2e ot2ers re$&ie#, sige! dito lang kami! magbabantay lang kami.

A&4"ro 5"s t2e 4irst to $"ss t2rou(2 t2e $e#estri"n ("te t2"t 2"# *een &e4t o$en. e**, Le="no,

"n# Ventur" 4o&&o5e# 2er. On enterin( t2e ("r"(e, Ventur" usin( " )2"ir 'ounte# t2e 2oo# o4 t2e

Vi1)on#es Niss"n Sentr" "n# &oosene# t2e e&e)tri) *u&* over it para da$ $alang ila$#. T2e s'"&&

(rou$ 5ent t2rou(2 t2e o$en iron (ri&& ("te "n# $"sse# t2e #irt3 ?it)2en. C"r'e&" o$ene# t2e "&u'inu'

s)reen #oor o4 t2e ?it)2en 4or t2e'. S2e "n# e** &oo?e# e")2 ot2er in t2e e3es 4or " 'o'ent "n#,

to(et2er, 2e"#e# 4or t2e #inin( "re".

As s2e &ost si(2t o4 C"r'e&" "n# e**, A&4"ro #e)i#e# to (o out. Le="no "s?e# 2er 52ere s2e

5"s (oin( "n# s2e re$&ie# t2"t s2e 5"s (oin( out to s'o?e. As s2e e"se# 2er 5"3 out t2rou(2 t2e ?it)2en

#oor, s2e s"5 Ventur" $u&&in( out " ?it)2en #r"5er. A&4"ro s'o?e# " )i("rette "t t2e ("r#en. A4ter "*outt5ent3 'inutes, s2e 5"s sur$rise# to 2e"r " 5o'"n s voi)e "s?, %ino yan& A&4"ro i''e#i"te&3 5"&?e#

out o4 t2e ("r#en to 2er )"r. S2e 4oun# 2er ot2er )o'$"nions 'i&&in( "roun# it. Estr"#" 52o s"t in t2e

)"r "s?e# 2er, kay ba&

A4ter sittin( in t2e )"r 4or "*out ten 'inutes, A&4"ro returne# to t2e Vi1)on#e 2ouse, usin( t2e

s"'e route. T2e interior o4 t2e 2ouse 5"s #"r? *ut so'e &i(2t 4i&tere# in 4ro' outsi#e. In t2e ?it)2en,

A&4"ro s"5 Ventur" se"r)2in( " &"#3 s *"( t2"t &"3 on t2e #inin( t"*&e. 2en s2e "s?e# 2i' 52"t 2e 5"s

&oo?in( 4or, 2e s"i#: ; 'ka$ na nga dito! maghanap ka ng susi. S2e "s?e# 2i' 52"t ?e3 2e 5"nte# "n#

2e re$&ie#: Basta maghanap ka ng susi ng main door pati na rin ng susi ng kotse. 2en s2e 4oun# "

*un)2 o4 ?e3s in t2e *"(, s2e trie# t2e' on t2e '"in #oor *ut none 4itte# t2e &o)?. S2e "&so #i# not 4in#

t2e )"r ?e3.

Un"*&e to o$en t2e '"in #oor, A&4"ro returne# to t2e ?it)2en. 2i&e s2e 5"s "t " s$ot &e"#in( to

t2e #inin( "re", s2e 2e"r# " st"ti) noise &i?e " te&evision t2"t re'"ine# on "4ter t2e st"tion 2"# si(ne#

o44 . Out o4 )uriosit3, s2e "$$ro")2e# t2e '"ster s *e#roo' 4ro' 52ere t2e noise )"'e, o$ene# t2e #oor

" &itt&e, "n# $ee?e# insi#e. T2e unusu"& soun# (re5 even &ou#er. As s2e 5"&?e# in, s2e s"5 e** on to$

o4 C"r'e&" 52i&e s2e &"3 5it2 2er *")? on t2e 4&oor. T5o *&oo#ie# *o#ies &"3 on t2e *e#. Le="no 5"s "tt2e 4oot o4 t2e *e# "*out to 5e"r 2is =")?et. C"r'e&" 5"s ("((e#, 'o"nin(, "n# in te"rs 52i&e e**

r"$e# 2er, 2is *"re *utto)?s e%$ose#.

e** ("ve A&4"ro " 'e"nin(4u& &oo? "n# s2e i ''e#i"te&3 &e4t t2e roo'. S2e 'et Ventur" "t t2e

#inin( "re". He to 2er, Prepare an es(ape. Aalis na tayo. S2o)?e# 5it2 52"t s2e s"5, A&4"ro rus2e#

out o4 t2e 2ouse to t2e ot2ers 52o 5ere eit2er sittin( in 2er )"r or 'i&&in( on t2e si#e5"&?. S2e entere#


8/28

2er )"r "n# turne# on t2e en(ine *ut s2e #i# not ?no5 52ere to (o. e**, Le="no, "n# Ventur" )"'e out

o4 t2e 2ouse =ust t2en. e** su##en&3 $i)?e# u$ " stone "n# t2re5 it "t t2e '"in #oor, *re"?in( its (&"ss

4r"'e.

As t2e t2ree 'en "$$ro")2e# t2e $e#estri"n ("te, e** to Ventur" t2"t 2e 4or(ot 2is =")?et in

t2e 2ouse. ut Ventur" to 2i' t2"t t2e3 )ou not (et in "n3'ore "s t2e iron (ri&&s 2"# "&re"#3

&o)?e#. T2e3 "&& ro#e in t2eir )"rs "n# #rove "5"3 unti& t2e3 re")2e# A(uirre Avenue. As t2e3 (ot ne"r

"n o 2ote& "t t2e Tro$i)"& P"&")e "re", A&4"ro noti)e# t2e Niss"n P"tro& s&o5 #o5n. So'eone t2re5

so'et2in( out o4 t2e )"r into t2e )o(on"& "re".

T2e )onvo3 o4 )"rs 5ent to " &"r(e 2ouse 5it2 2i(2 5"&&s, )on)rete 4en)e, stee& ("te, "n# " &on(

#rive5"3 "t 8 E%e)utive Vi&&"(e. T2e3 entere# t2e )o'$oun# "n# ("t2ere# "t t2e &"5n 52ere t2e

;*&"'in( session< too? $&")e. It 5"s 2ere t2"t A&4"ro "n# t2ose 52o re'"ine# outsi#e t2e Vi1)on#e2ouse &e"rne# o4 52"t 2"$$ene#. T2e 4irst to *e ?i&&e# 5"s C"r'e&" s 'ot2er, t2en Jenni4er, "n# 4in"&&3,

C"r'e&&". Ventur" *&"'e# e**, te&&in( 2i', Bakit naman pati yung bata& e** re$&ie# t2"t t2e (ir&

5o?e u$ "n# on seein( 2i' 'o&estin( C"r'e&", s2e =u'$e# on 2i', *it 2is s2ouers, "n# $u&&e# 2is

2"ir. e** (ot '"#, (r"**e# t2e (ir&, $us2e# 2er to t2e 5"&&, "n# re$e"te#&3 st"**e# 2er. Le="no e%)use#

2i'se&4 "t t2is $oint to use t2e te&e$2one in t2e 2ouse. Me"n52i&e, e** )"&&e# u$ so'eone on 2is

)e&&u&"r $2one.

At "roun# : in t2e 'ornin(, "))use# >er"r#o ion( "rrive#. e** or#ere# 2i' to (o "n#

)&e"n u$ t2e Vi1)on#e 2ouse "n# s"i# to 2i', ; Pera lang ang katapat nyan. ion( "ns5ere#, kay

lang. e** s$o?e to 2is )o'$"nions "n# to t2e', ; e #on t ?no5 e")2 ot2er. e 2"ven t seen e")2

ot2er baka maulit yan. A&4"ro "n# Estr"#" &e4t "n# t2e3 #rove to 2er 4"t2er s 2ouse. + B

1. T/' 0 " & o( /' 5& #'--

"s A&4"ro "n or#in"r3 su*#ivision (ir& 52o s2o5e# u$ "t t2e N I "4ter 4our 3e"rs, *ot2ere# *3

2er )ons)ien)e or e((e# on *3 re&"tives or 4rien#s to )o'e 4or5"r# "n# #o 52"t 5"s ri(2tK No. S2e 5"s,

"t t2e ti'e s2e reve"&e# 2er stor3, 5or?in( 4or t2e N I "s "n ;"sset,< " stoo& $i(eon, one 52o e"rne# 2er &ivin( *3 4r"terni1in( 5it2 )ri'in"&s so s2e )ou s7ue"& on t2e' to 2er N I 2"n#&ers. S2e 2"# to &ive "

&i4e o4 &ies to (et re5"r#s t2"t 5ou $"3 4or 2er su*sisten)e "n# vi)es.

A))or#in( to Att3. Arte'io S")"(uin(, 4or'er 2e"# o4 t2e N I Anti- i#n"$$in(, Hi=")?in(, "n#

Ar'e# Ro**er3 T"s? 8or)e A HAR Se)tion, A&4"ro 2"# *een 2"n(in( "roun# "t t2e N I sin)e

Nove'*er or De)e'*er +00 "s "n ;"sset.< S2e su$$&ie# 2er 2"n#&ers 5it2 in4or'"tion "("inst #ru(


9/28

$us2ers "n# ot2er )ri'in"& e&e'ents. So'e o4 t2is in4or'"tion &e# to t2e )"$ture o4 notorious #ru(

$us2ers &i?e C2risto$2er Cru1 S"ntos "n# Or&"n#o ")7uir. A&4"ro s ti$ &e# to t2e "rrest o4 t2e &e"#er o4

t2e ;M"rti&3o ("n(< t2"t ?i&&e# " $o&i)e o44i)er. e)"use o4 2er t"&ent, t2e t"s? 4or)e ("ve 2er ;ver3

s$e)i"& tre"t'ent< "n# s2e *e)"'e its ;#"r&in(,< "&&o5e# t2e $rivi&e(e o4 s$en#in( ni(2ts in one o4 t2e

roo's "t t2e N I o44i)es.

2en A&4"ro see'e# un$ro#u)tive 4or so'eti'e, 2o5ever, t2e3 te"se# 2er "*out it "n# s2e 5"s

$i7ue#. One #"3, s2e une%$e)te#&3 to S")"(uin( t2"t s2e ?ne5 so'eone 52o 2"# t2e re"& stor3 *e2in#

t2e Vi1)on#e '"ss")re. S")"(uin( s2o5e# interest. A&4"ro $ro'ise# to *rin( t2"t so'eone to t2e N I to

te&& 2is stor3. 2en t2is #i# not 2"$$en "n# S")"(uin( )ontinue# to $ress 2er, s2e to 2i' t2"t s2e 'i(2t

"s 5e&& "ssu'e t2e ro&e o4 2er in4or'"nt. S")"(uin( testi4ie# t2us:

ATTY. ONG I O. A . S")"+ +, /o5 $&$ J'--&)" A ("%o ')o:' " 5& #'-- /' ;& > > > A. I 5"- 0 & ' '%'- '$ "#$ I %&'$ o ?'%- "$' /'% o %o$ )' o :' /" :"#

"#$ -/' ?%o:&-'$ /" $ ' &:', -/' 5& %+ o :' /' :"#, "#$o+' /'% 5& / /'%, 5' 5& % o )o#2)' /&: o ") "- " - " ' 5& #'-- "#$/' ? - /' -o &o# o( /' )"-'.

> > > >

. A . S")"+ +, 5'%' o " ' o '%2&'5 /&- " '+'$ 5& #'--=

WITNESS SACAGUINGA. No, -&%. ATTY. ONG I O. W/ #o = WITNESS SACAGUING


10/28

A. B')" -' J'--&)" A ("%o 5"- #'2'% " ' o )o:? 5& / /'% ?%o:&-' o %+/' :"# o :'. S/' o $ :' " '% /" -/' )o $ #o "#$ /' :"# $o'- #o&*' o '- &( .

ATTY. ONG I O. A %&+/ , "#$ 5/" /"??'#'$ "( '% /" = WITNESS SACAGUINGA. S/' o $ :', @'"- "#+ *" o, S&%, &( I :" 0 o ', @'"- "#+ S&%, / 5"+

*" o#+ COURT

Ho5 5"- /" = WITNESS SACAGUINGA. @E"- "#+, S&%. S&%, %' "> "#+, S&%, ?"?"?' "# *o, ?"?"?' "# *o #" "#+

"#.

> > > > ATTY. ONG I O. A %&+/ , "#$ 5/" 5"- o % %'") &o# 5/'# M-. A ("%o - " '$ /"

@?"?"?' "# *o #" "#+ "#= WITNESS SACAGUINGA. I -"&$, @/$& ? 5'$' "#, *"-& /$& *" #":"# ' ' 5& #'--. ATTY. ONG I O. A#$ 5/" 5"- /' %'? o( M-. A ("%o=

WITNESS SACAGUINGA. H$& -& " #"*"*& o, # & -/' 5'# "5" .

DTSN, M" 8, 1996, ??. 49 , 8, 77 79

uite si(ni4i)"nt&3, A&4"ro never re4ute# S")"(uin( s "*ove testi'on3.

. T/' - -?&)&o - $' "& -

ut 5"s it $ossi*&e 4or A&4"ro to &ie 5it2 su)2 "*un#"nt #et"i&s so'e o4 52i)2 even t"&&ie# 5it2

t2e $23si)"& evi#en)e "t t2e s)ene o4 t2e )ri'eK No #ou*t, 3es.

8irst&3, t2e Vi1)on#e '"ss")re 2"# *een re$orte# in t2e 'e#i" 5it2 #i113in( #et"i&s. Ever3*o#3

5"s t"&?in( "*out 52"t t2e $o&i)e 4oun# "t t2e )ri'e s)ene "n# t2ere 5ere &ots o4 s$e)u&"tions "*out

t2e'.


11/28

Se)on#&3, t2e $o&i)e 2"# "rreste# so'e ;"?3"t-*"2"3< (rou$ in P"r"6"7ue "n# )2"r(e# t2e' 5it2

t2e )ri'e. T2e $o&i)e $re$"re# t2e )on4essions o4 t2e 'en t2e3 "$$re2en#e# "n# 4i&&e# t2ese u$ 5it2

#et"i&s t2"t t2e evi#en)e o4 t2e )ri'e s)ene $rovi#e#. A&4"ro s N I 2"n#&ers 52o 5ere #oin( t2eir o5n

investi("tion ?ne5 o4 t2ese #et"i&s "s 5e&&. Sin)e A&4"ro 2"n(e# out "t t2e N I o44i)es "n# $r")ti)"&&3

&ive# t2ere, it 5"s not too #i44i)u&t 4or 2er to 2e"r o4 t2ese evi#enti"r3 #et"i&s "n# ("in "))ess to t2e

#o)u'ents.

Not sur$risin(&3, t2e )on4essions o4 so'e 'e'*ers o4 t2e "rroso ;"?3"t *"2"3< ("n(,

)on#e'ne# *3 t2e M"?"ti RTC "s 4"*ri)"te# *3 t2e $o&i)e to $in t2e )ri'e on t2e', s2o5s 2o5 )ri'e

investi("tors )ou '"?e " )on4ession rin( true *3 '"t)2in( so'e o4 its #et"i&s 5it2 t2e $23si)"& evi#en)e

"t t2e )ri'e s)ene. Consi#er t2e 4o&&o5in(:

". T2e "rroso ("n( 'e'*ers s"i# t2"t t2e3 (ot into C"r'e&" s 2ouse *3 *re"?in( t2e (&"ss $"ne& o4 t2e 4ront #oor usin( " stone 5r"$$e# in )&ot2 to #e"#en t2e noise. A&4"ro )ou not use t2is &ine

sin)e t2e )ore o4 2er stor3 5"s t2"t e** 5"s C"r'e&" s *o34rien#. e** 2"# no re"son to s'"s2 2er

4ront #oor to (et to see 2er.

Conse7uent&3, to e%$&"in t2e s'"s2e# #oor, A&4"ro 2"# to sett&e 4or )&"i'in( t2"t, on t2e 5"3 out

o4 t2e 2ouse, e** $i)?e# u$ so'e stone "n#, out o4 t2e *&ue, 2ur&e# it "t t2e (&"ss-$"ne&e# 4ront #oor o4

t2e Vi1)on#e resi#en)e. His ")tion re"&&3 '"#e no sense. 8ro' A&4"ro s n"rr"tion, e** "$$e"re#

r"tion"& in 2is #e)isions. It 5"s $"st 'i#ni(2t, t2e 2ouse 5"s #"r?, "n# t2e3 5"nte# to (et "5"3 7ui)?&3

to "voi# #ete)tion. Hur&in( " stone "t t2"t (&"ss #oor "n# )"usin( " tre'en#ous noise 5"s *i1"rre, &i?e

invitin( t2e nei(2*ors to )o'e.

*. T2e )ri'e s)ene s2o5e# t2"t t2e 2ouse 2"# *een r"ns")?e#. T2e re=e)te# )on4essions o4 t2e

"rroso ;"?3"t-*"2"3< ("n( 'e'*ers s"i# t2"t t2e3 trie# to ro* t2e 2ouse. To e%$&"in t2is $23si)"&

evi#en)e, A&4"ro )&"i'e# t2"t "t one $oint Ventur" 5"s $u&&in( " ?it)2en #r"5er, "n# "t "not2er $oint,

(oin( t2rou(2 " 2"n#*"( on t2e #inin( t"*&e. He s"i# 2e 5"s &oo?in( 4or t2e 4ront-#oor ?e3 "n# t2e )"r

?e3.

A("in, t2is $ortion o4 A&4"ro s stor3 "$$e"rs torture# to "))o''o#"te t2e $23si)"& evi#en)e o4

t2e r"ns")?e# 2ouse. S2e never 'entione# Ventur" 2"vin( t"?en so'e v"&u"*&es 5it2 2i' 52en t2e3 &e4t

C"r'e&" s 2ouse. An# 523 5ou Ventur" ru''"(e " *"( on t2e t"*&e 4or t2e 4ront-#oor ?e3, s$i&&in( t2e

)ontents, 52en t2e3 2"# "&re"#3 (otten into t2e 2ouse. It is " stor3 '"#e to 4it in 5it2 t2e )ri'e s)ene

"&t2ou(2 ro**er3 5"s su$$ose#&3 not t2e re"son e** "n# 2is )o'$"nions entere# t2"t 2ouse.


12/28

). It is t2e s"'e t2in( 5it2 t2e ("r"(e &i(2t. T2e $o&i)e investi("tors 4oun# t2"t t2e *u&* 2"#

*een &oosene# to turn o44 t2e &i(2t. T2e )on4essions o4 t2e "rroso ("n( )&"i'e# t2"t one o4 t2e'

)&i'*e# t2e $"r?e# )"r s 2oo# to re")2 u$ "n# #"r?en t2"t &i(2t. T2is '"#e sense sin)e t2e3 5ere (oin(

to ro* t2e $&")e "n# t2e3 nee#e# ti'e to 5or? in t2e #"r? tr3in( to o$en t2e 4ront #oor. So'e $"ssers*3

'i(2t &oo? in "n# see 52"t t2e3 5ere #oin(.

A&4"ro 2"# to "#=ust 2er testi'on3 to t"?e into "))ount t2"t #"r?ene# ("r"(e &i(2t. So s2e

)&"i'e# t2"t Ventur" )&i'*e# t2e )"r s 2oo#, usin( " )2"ir, to turn t2e &i(2t o44. ut, un&i?e t2e "rroso

;"?3"t-*"2"3< ("n(, e** "n# 2is 4rien#s #i# not 2"ve "n3t2in( to #o in " #"r?ene# ("r"(e. T2e3

su$$ose#&3 ?ne5 in "#v"n)e t2"t C"r'e&" &e4t t2e #oors to t2e ?it)2en o$en 4or t2e'. It #i# not '"?e

sense 4or Ventur" to ris? st"n#in( on t2e )"r s 2oo# "n# *e seen in su)2 "n "5?5"r# $osition inste"# o4

(oin( str"i(2t into t2e 2ouse.

An#, t2ir#&3, A&4"ro 5"s t2e N I s st"r 5itness, t2eir *"#(e o4 e%)e&&ent investi("tive 5or?. A4ter

)&"i'in( t2"t t2e3 2"# so&ve# t2e )ri'e o4 t2e #e)"#e, t2e N I $eo$&e 2"# " st"?e in '"?in( 2er soun#

)re#i*&e "n#, o*vious&3, t2e3 ("ve 2er "&& t2e $re$"r"tions s2e nee#e# 4or t2e =o* o4 *e)o'in( " 4"ir&3

(oo# su*stitute 5itness. S2e 5"s t2eir ;#"r&in(< o4 "n "sset. An# t2is is not $ure s$e)u&"tion. As $ointe#

out "*ove, S")"(uin( o4 t2e N I, " &"53er "n# " r"n?in( o44i)i"&, )on4ir'e# t2is to *e " )o 4")t. 23

t2e tri"& )ourt "n# t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s 4"i&e# to see t2is is '3sti43in(.

At "n3 r"te, #i# A&4"ro "t &e"st 2"ve " 4ine 'e'or3 4or 4")es t2"t 2"# " stron( e44e)t on 2er, (iven

t2e )ir)u'st"n)esK Not &i?e&3. S2e n"'e# Mi(ue& ;>in(< Ro#ri(ue1 "s one o4 t2e )u&$rits in t2e

Vi1)on#e ?i&&in(s. ut 52en t2e N I 4oun# " )ert"in Mi)2"e& Ro#ri(ue1, " #ru( #e$en#ent 4ro' t2e

i)ut"n Re2"*i&it"tion Center, initi"&&3 sus$e)te# to *e A&4"ro s Mi(ue& Ro#ri(ue1 "n# s2o5e# 2i' to

A&4"ro "t t2e N I o44i)e, s2e r"n *erser?, s&"$$in( "n# ?i)?in( Mi)2"e&, e%)&"i'in(: ;Ho5 )"n I 4or(et

3our 4")e. e =ust s"5 e")2 ot2er in " #is)o one 'ont2 "(o "n# 3ou to 'e t2en t2"t 3ou 5i&& ?i&&

'e.< As it turne# out, 2e 5"s not Mi(ue& Ro#ri(ue1, t2e "))use# in t2is )"se. +/B

T5o $ossi*i&ities e%ist: Mi)2"e& 5"s re"&&3 t2e one A&4"ro 5"nte# to i'$&i)"te to sett&e so'e

s)ore 5it2 2i' *ut it 5"s too &"te to )2"n(e t2e n"'e s2e "&re"#3 ("ve or s2e 2"# '3o$i) vision, t"((in(t2e 5ron( $eo$&e 4or 52"t t2e3 #i# not #o.

3. T/' 0 " & o( /' '- &:o#
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn13http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn13


13/28

T2ere is "not2er t2in( "*out " &3in( 5itness: 2er stor3 &")?s sense or su44ers 4ro' in2erent

in)onsisten)ies. An un#erst"n#in( o4 t2e n"ture o4 t2in(s "n# t2e )o''on *e2"vior o4 $eo$&e 5i&& 2e&$

e%$ose " &ie. An# it 2"s "n "*un#"nt $resen)e in t2is )"se.

One. In 2er #esire to i'$&i)"te >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", Ro#ri(ue1, "n# 8i&"rt, 52o 5ere

su$$ose# to *e e** s )o-$rin)i$"&s in t2e )ri'e, A&4"ro '"#e it " $oint to testi43 t2"t e** $ro$ose#

t5i)e to 2is 4rien#s t2e ("n(-r"$e o4 C"r'e&" 52o 2"# 2urt 2i'. An# t5i)e, t2e3 in)&u#in(, i4 one

*e&ieves A&4"ro, 2er o5n *o34rien# Estr"#" "(ree# in " )2orus to 2is $ro$os"&. ut 52en t2e3 (ot to

C"r'e&" s 2ouse, on&3 e**, Le="no, Ventur", "n# A&4"ro entere# t2e 2ouse.

>"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", "n# Ro#ri(ue1 su$$ose#&3 st"3e# "roun# A&4"ro s )"r, 52i)2 5"s

$"r?e# on t2e street *et5een C"r'e&" s 2ouse "n# t2e ne%t. So'e o4 t2ese 'en s"t on to$ o4 t2e )"r s &i#

52i&e ot2ers 'i&&e# on t2e si#e5"&?, visi*&e un#er t2e street &i(2t to "n3one 52o )"re# to 5"t)2 t2e', $"rti)u&"r&3 to t2e $eo$&e 52o 5ere 2"vin( " #rin?in( $"rt3 in " ne"r*3 2ouse. O*vious&3, t2e *e2"vior o4

e** s )o'$"nions out on t2e street #i# not 4i(ure in " $&"nne# ("n(-r"$e o4 C"r'e&".

T5o. Ventur", A&4"ro s #o$e su$$&ier, intro#u)e# 2er 4or t2e 4irst ti'e in 2er &i4e to e** "n# 2is

4rien#s in " $"r?in( &ot *3 " '"&&. So 523 5ou s2e "(ree to ")t "s e** s 'essen(er, usin( 2er ("s, to

*rin( 2is 'ess"(e to C"r'e&" "t 2er 2o'e. More ine%$&i)"*&3, 52"t 'otiv"te# A&4"ro to sti)? it out t2e

52o&e ni(2t 5it2 e** "n# 2is 4rien#sK

T2e3 5ere $r")ti)"&&3 str"n(ers to 2er "n# 2er *o34rien# Estr"#". 2en it )"'e to " $oint t2"t

e** #e)i#e# 5it2 2is 4rien#s to ("n(-r"$e C"r'e&", )&e"r&3, t2ere 5"s not2in( in it 4or A&4"ro. et, s2e

stu)? it out 5it2 t2e', "s " $o&i)e "sset 5ou, 2"n(in( in t2ere unti& s2e 2"# " )ri'e to re$ort, on&3 s2e

5"s not 3et "n ;"sset< t2en. I4, on t2e ot2er 2"n#, A&4"ro 2"# *een too so"?e# in #ru(s to t2in? )&e"r&3

"n# =ust 4o&&o5e# "&on( 52ere t2e (rou$ too? 2er, 2o5 )ou s2e re'e'*er so 'u)2 #et"i&s t2"t on&3 "

#ru(-4ree 'in# )"nK

T2ree. 2en A&4"ro 5ent to see C"r'e&" "t 2er 2ouse 4or t2e se)on# ti'e, C"r'e&&" to 2er t2"t

s2e sti&& 2"# to (o out "n# t2"t e** "n# 2is 4rien#s s2ou )o'e *")? "roun# 'i#ni(2t. A&4"ro returne#to 2er )"r "n# 5"ite# 4or C"r'e&" to #rive out in 2er o5n )"r. An# s2e tr"i&e# 2er u$ to A(uirre

Avenue 52ere s2e su$$ose#&3 #ro$$e# o44 " '"n 52o' s2e t2ou(2t 5"s C"r'e&" s *o34rien#. A&4"ro s

tr"i&in( C"r'e&" to s$3 on 2er un4"it24u&ness to e** #i# not '"?e sense sin)e s2e 5"s on &i'ite#

err"n#. ut, "s " )riti)"& 5itness, A&4"ro 2"# to $rovi#e " re"son 4or e** to 4re"? out "n# #e)i#e to )o'e

5it2 2is 4rien#s "n# 2"r' C"r'e&".


14/28

8our. A))or#in( to A&4"ro, 52en t2e3 returne# to C"r'e&" s 2ouse t2e t2ir# ti'e "roun#

'i#ni(2t, s2e &e# e**, Le="no, "n# Ventur" t2rou(2 t2e $e#estri"n ("te t2"t C"r'e&" 2"# &e4t

o$en. No5, t2is is 5eir#. e** 5"s t2e ("n( &e"#er 52o #e)i#e# 52"t t2e3 5ere (oin( to #o. He

#e)i#e# "n# 2is 4rien#s "(ree# 5it2 2i' to (o to C"r'e&"s 2ouse "n# ("n(-r"$e 2er. 23 5ou A&4"ro,

" 5o'"n, " str"n(er to e** *e4ore t2"t ni(2t, "n# o*vious&3 5it2 no ro&e to $&"3 in t2e ("n(-r"$e o4

C"r'e&", &e"# 2i' "n# t2e ot2ers into 2er 2ouseK It '"#e no sense. It 5ou on&3 '"?e sense i4 A&4"ro

5"nte# to 4ei(n *ein( " 5itness to so'et2in( s2e #i# not see.

8ive. A&4"ro 5ent out o4 t2e 2ouse to s'o?e "t t2e ("r#en. A4ter "*out t5ent3 'inutes, " 5o'"n

e%)&"i'e#, %ino yan&< On 2e"rin( t2is, A&4"ro i''e#i"te&3 5"&?e# out o4 t2e ("r#en "n# 5ent to 2er

)"r. A$$"rent&3, s2e #i# t2is *e)"use s2e ?ne5 t2e3 )"'e on " s&3. So'eone ot2er t2"n C"r'e&" *e)"'e

)ons)ious o4 t2e $resen)e o4 e** "n# ot2ers in t2e 2ouse. A&4"ro 5"&?e# "5"3 *e)"use, o*vious&3, s2e

#i# not 5"nt to (et invo&ve# in " $otenti"& )on4ront"tion. T2is 5"s su$$ose#&3 2er 4r"'e o4 'in#: 4e"r o4 (ettin( invo&ve# in 52"t 5"s not 2er *usiness.

ut i4 t2"t 5ere t2e )"se, 2o5 )ou s2e testi43 *"se# on $erson"& ?no5&e#(e o4 52"t 5ent on in

t2e 2ouseK A&4"ro 2"# to )2"n(e t2"t 4r"'e o4 'in# to one o4 *oness "n# re)?&ess )uriosit3. So t2"t is

52"t s2e ne%t )&"i'e#. S2e 5ent *")? into t2e 2ouse to 5"t)2 "s e** r"$e# C"r'e&" on t2e 4&oor o4 t2e

'"ster s *e#roo'. He 2"# "$$"rent&3 st"**e# to #e"t2 C"r'e&" s 'o' "n# 2er 3oun( sister 52ose

*&oo#ie# *o#ies 5ere s$r"5&e# on t2e *e#. No5, A&4"ro testi4ie# t2"t s2e (ot s)"re# "not2er s2i4t to 4e"r

4or s2e 2urrie#&3 (ot out o4 t2e 2ouse "4ter e** su$$ose#&3 ("ve 2er " 'e"nin(4u& &oo?.

A&4"ro 7ui)?&3 5ent to 2er )"r, not 'in#in( >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#", Ro#ri(ue1, "n# 8i&"rt

52o s"t on t2e )"r or 'i&&e# on t2e si#e5"&?. S2e #i# not s$e"? to t2e', even to Estr"#", 2er

*o34rien#. S2e entere# 2er )"r "n# turne# on t2e en(ine *ut s2e testi4ie# t2"t s2e #i# not ?no5 52ere to

(o. T2is 5o'"n 52o " 4e5 'inutes *")? &e# e**, Le="no, "n# Ventur" into t2e 2ouse, ?no5in( t2"t

t2e3 5ere #e)i#e# to r"$e "n# 2"r' C"r'e&", 5"s su##en&3 too s2o)?e# to ?no5 52ere to (o T2is

e'otion"& $en#u&u' s5in( in#i)"tes " 5itness 52o 5"s )on4use# 5it2 2er o5n &ies.

4. T/' - ??o-'$ )o%%o o%" &o#-

Inten#in( to $rovi#e )orro*or"tion to A&4"ro s testi'on3, t2e $rose)ution $resente# si% "##ition"&

5itnesses:


15/28

%. P%o-?'%o A. C" "#" "#, t2e N I Me#i)o-Le("& O44i)er 52o "uto$sie# t2e *o#ies o4 t2e

vi)ti's, testi4ie# on t2e st"* 5oun#s t2e3 sust"ine# + B "n# t2e $resen)e o4 se'en in C"r'e&" s (enit"&i",+9B in#i)"tin( t2"t s2e 2"# *een r"$e#.

No%:" E. W/& ', J%. , 5"s t2e se)urit3 (u"r# on #ut3 "t Piton( D""n Su*#ivision 4ro' $.'. o4

June 0 to ".'. o4 June / , +00+. He (ot " re$ort on t2e 'ornin( o4 June / t2"t so'et2in( unto5"r#

2"$$ene# "t t2e Vi1)on#e resi#en)e. He 5ent t2ere "n# s"5 t2e #e"# *o#ies in t2e '"ster s *e#roo', t2e

*"( on t2e #inin( t"*&e, "s 5e&& "s t2e &ou# noise e'"n"tin( 4ro' " te&evision set. +GB

2ite )&"i'e# t2"t 2e noti)e# >"t)2"&i"n "n# 2is )o'$"nions, none o4 52o' 2e )ou i#enti43,

(o in "n# out o4 Piton( D""n Su*#ivision. He "&so s"5 t2e' "&on(Vin1ons Street. L"ter, t2e3 entere#

Piton( D""n Su*#ivision in " t2ree-)"r )onvo3. 2ite )ou not, 2o5ever, #es)ri*e t2e ?in# o4 ve2i)&es

t2e3 use# or re)"&& t2e ti'e 52en 2e s"5 t2e (rou$ in t2ose t5o inst"n)es. An# 2e #i# not noti)e"n3t2in( sus$i)ious "*out t2eir )o'in( "n# (oin(.

ut 2ite s testi'on3 )"nnot *e re&ie# on. His initi"& )&"i' turne# out to *e in"))ur"te. He

")tu"&&3 s"5 >"t)2"&i"n "n# 2is (rou$ enter t2e Piton( D""n Su*#ivision on&3 on)e. T2e3 5ere not (oin(

in "n# out. 8urt2er'ore, A&4"ro testi4ie# t2"t 52en t2e )onvo3 o4 )"rs 5ent *")? t2e se)on# ti'e in t2e

#ire)tion o4 C"r'e&" s 2ouse, s2e "&one entere# t2e su*#ivision "n# $"sse# t2e (u"r#2ouse 5it2out

sto$$in(. et, 2ite 52o su$$ose#&3 '"nne# t2"t (u"r#2ouse #i# not noti)e 2er.

Sur$risin(&3, 2ite 4"i&e# to note ion(, " $o&i)e o44i)er, enterin( or e%itin( t2e su*#ivision on

t2e e"r&3 'ornin( o4 June / 52en 2e su$$ose#&3 ;)&e"ne# u$< Vi1)on#e resi#en)e on e** s

or#ers. 2"t is 'ore, 2ite #i# not noti)e C"r'e&" "rrive 5it2 2er 'o' *e4ore A&4"ro s 4irst visit t2"t

ni(2t. C"r'e&" su$$ose#&3 &e4t 5it2 " '"&e )o'$"nion in 2er )"r "t "roun# + :/ $.'. *ut 2ite #i# not

noti)e it. He "&so #i# not noti)e C"r'e&" reenter t2e su*#ivision. 2ite ")tu"&&3 #is)re#ite# A&4"ro s

testi'on3 "*out t2e 'ove'ents o4 t2e $ersons invo&ve#.

8urt2er, 52i&e A&4"ro testi4ie# t2"t it 5"s t2e M"1#" $i)?-u$ #riven *3 8i&"rt t2"t &e# t2e t2ree-

ve2i)&e )onvo3 ,+ B

2ite )&"i'e# it 5"s t2e Niss"n P"tro& 5it2 >"t)2"&i"n on it t2"t &e# t2e )onvo3 sin)e2e 5ou not 2"ve &et t2e )onvo3 in 5it2out "s)ert"inin( t2"t >"t)2"&i"n, " resi#ent, 5"s in it. Se)urit3

(u"r# 2ite #i# not, t2ere4ore, $rovi#e )orro*or"tion to A&4"ro s testi'on3.

J - o C" "#")"#, t2e se)urit3 su$ervisor "t Piton( D""n Su*#ivision testi4ie# t2"t 2e s"5 e**

"roun# t2e &"st 5ee? o4 M"3 or t2e 4irst 5ee? o4 June +00+ to $rove 2is $resen)e in t2e P2i&i$$ines 52en
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn17http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn14http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn15http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn16http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn17


16/28

2e )&"i'e# to *e in t2e Unite# St"tes. He 5"s '"nnin( t2e (u"r# 2ouse "t t2e entr"n)e o4 t2e su*#ivision

o4 Piton( D""n 52en 2e 4&"((e# #o5n " )"r #riven *3 e**. e** s"i# t2"t 2e 5ou see Li&et

S3. C"*"n")"n "s?e# 2i' 4or "n ID *ut 2e $ointe# to 2is Unite# 8 Ho'es sti)?er "n# s"i# t2"t 2e

resi#e# t2ere. C"*"n")"n re$&ie#, 2o5ever, t2"t Piton( D""n 2"# " &o)"& sti)?er.

C"*"n")"n testi4ie# t2"t, "t t2is $oint, e** intro#u)e# 2i'se&4 "s t2e son o4 Con(ress'"n

e**. Sti&&, t2e su$ervisor insiste# on seein( 2is ID. e** (ru#(in(&3 ("ve it "n# "4ter seein( t2e

$i)ture "n# t2e n"'e on it, C"*"n")"n returne# t2e s"'e "n# "&&o5e# e** to $"ss 5it2out *ein( &o((e#

in "s t2eir St"n#"r# O$er"tin( Pro)e#ure re7uire#. + B

ut C"*"n")"n@s testi'on3 )ou not *e re&ie# on. A&t2ou(2 it 5"s not )o''on 4or " se)urit3

(u"r# to )2"&&en(e " Con(ress'"n s son 5it2 su)2 ve2e'en)e, C"*"n")"n #i# not &o( t2e in)i#ent on t2e

(u"r#2ouse *oo?. Nor #i# 2e, )ontr"r3 to $res)ri*e# $ro)e#ure, re)or# t2e visitor s entr3 into t2esu*#ivision. It #i# not '"?e sense t2"t C"*"n")"n 5"s stri)t in t2e '"tter o4 seein( e** s ID *ut not in

re)or#in( t2e visit.

M& " G"2&o " use# to 5or? "s &"un#r3 5o'"n 4or t2e e**s "t t2eir 2ouse "t

8 Ho'es E%e)utive Vi&&"(e. S2e testi4ie# t2"t s2e s"5 e** "t 2is $"rents 2ouse on t2e 'ornin( o4

June / , +00+ 52en s2e (ot t2e #irt3 )&ot2es 4ro' t2e roo' t2"t 2e "n# t5o *rot2ers o))u$ie# "t "*out

.".'. S2e s"5 2i' "("in $")in( t2e 4&oor "t 0 ".'. At "*out + $.'., e** &e4t t2e 2ouse in t-s2irt "n#

s2orts, $"ssin( t2rou(2 " se)ret #oor ne"r t2e '"i# s 7u"rters on t2e 5"3 out. 8in"&&3, s2e s"5 e** "t

$.'. o4 t2e s"'e #"3. +0B

On )ross-e%"'in"tion, 2o5ever, >"vio&" )ou not s"3 52"t #istin(uis2e# June / , +00+ 4ro' t2e

ot2er #"3s s2e 5"s on servi)e "t t2e e** 2ouse2o "s to en"*&e 2er to #istin)t&3 re'e'*er, 4our 3e"rs

&"ter, 52"t one o4 t2e e** *o3s #i# "n# "t 52"t ti'e. S2e )ou not re'e'*er "n3 o4 t2e #et"i&s t2"t

2"$$ene# in t2e 2ouse2o on t2e ot2er #"3s. S2e $rove# to 2"ve " se&e)tive $2oto(r"$2i) 'e'or3 "n#

t2is on&3 #"'"(e# 2er testi'on3.

>"vio&" trie# to )orro*or"te A&4"ro @s testi'on3 *3 )&"i'in( t2"t on June / , +00+ s2e noti)e# *&oo#st"ins on e**@s t-s2irt. B S2e #i# not )"&& t2e "ttention o4 "n3*o#3 in t2e 2ouse2o "*out it 52en

it 5ou 2"ve *een " $oint o4 )on)ern t2"t e** '"3 2"ve *een 2urt, 2en)e t2e *&oo#.

esi#es, Vi)tori" Ventoso, t2e e**s@ 2ouse'"i# 4ro' M"r)2 +0 0 to M"3 +00 , "n# S(t. Mi(ue&

Mu6o1, t2e e**s@ se)urit3 "i#e in +00+, testi4ie# t2"t >"vio&" 5or?e# 4or t2e e**s on&3 4ro' J"nu"r3
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn20http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn18http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn19http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn20


17/28

+00+ to A$ri& +00+. Ventoso 4urt2er testi4ie# t2"t it 5"s not >"vio&"@s #ut3 to )o&&e)t t2e )&ot2es 4ro' t2en# 4&oor *e#roo's, t2is *ein( t2e 5or? o4 t2e 2ouse'"i# )2"r(e# 5it2 )&e"nin( t2e roo's.

2"t is 'ore, it 5"s 'ost un&i?e&3 4or " &"un#r35o'"n 52o 2"# *een t2ere 4or on&3 4our 'ont2s

to )o&&e)t, "s s2e )&"i'e#, t2e &"un#r3 4ro' t2e roo's o4 2er e'$&o3ers "n# t2eir (ro5n u$ )2iren "t

4our in t2e 'ornin( 52i&e t2e3 5ere "s&ee$.

An# it #i# not '"?e sense, i4 A&4"ro s testi'on3 5ere to *e *e&ieve# t2"t e**, 52o 5"s so

)"re4u& "n# )&ever t2"t 2e )"&&e# ion( to (o to t2e Vi1)on#e resi#en)e "t ".'. to )&e"n u$ t2e evi#en)e

"("inst 2i' "n# 2is (rou$, 5ou *rin( 2is *&oo#ie# s2irt 2o'e "n# $ut it in t2e 2"'$er 4or

&"un#r35o'"n >"vio&" to )o&&e)t "n# 5"s2 "t ".'. "s 5"s 2er su$$ose# 2"*it.

Lo & " ' B&%%'% 5"s "))use# ion( s (ir&4rien# "roun# t2e ti'e t2e Vi1)on#e '"ss")re too? $&")e. irrer testi4ie# t2"t s2e 5"s 5it2 ion( $&"3in( '"2=on( 4ro' t2e evenin( o4 June 0, +00+ to t2e

e"r&3 'ornin( o4 June / , 52en ion( (ot " )"&& "t "roun# ".'. T2is $ro'$te# 2i', "))or#in( to De

irrer, to &e"ve "n# (o to 8. So'eone sittin( "t t2e *")?se"t o4 " t"%i $i)?e# 2i' u$. 2en ion(

returne# "t ".'. 2e 5"s2e# o44 52"t &oo?e# &i?e #rie# *&oo# 4ro' 2is 4in(ern"i&s. An# 2e t2re5 "5"3 "

4ou&-s'e&&in( 2"n#?er)2ie4. S2e "&so s"5 ion( t"?e out " ?ni4e 5it2 "&u'inu' )over 4ro' 2is #r"5er

"n# 2i# it in 2is stee& )"*inet. +B

T2e se)urit3 (u"r# "t Piton( D""n #i# not noti)e "n3 $o&i)e investi("tor 4&"s2in( " *"#(e to (et

into t2e vi&&"(e "&t2ou(2 ion( su$$ose#&3 )"'e in "t t2e un2o&3 2our o4 t5o in t2e 'ornin(. His

#e$"rture *e4ore ".'. "&so re'"ine# unnoti)e# *3 t2e su*#ivision (u"r#s. esi#es, i4 2e 2"# )&e"ne# u$

t2e )ri'e s)ene s2ort&3 "4ter 'i#ni(2t, 52"t 5"s t2e $oint o4 2is returnin( t2ere on t2e 4o&&o5in( 'ornin(

to #is$ose o4 so'e o4 t2e evi#en)e in t2e $resen)e o4 ot2er $o&i)e investi("tors "n# on-&oo?ersK In 4")t,

523 5ou 2e ste"& v"&u"*&e ite's 4ro' t2e Vi1)on#e resi#en)e on 2is return t2ere 2ours &"ter i4 2e 2"#

t2e o$$ortunit3 to #o it e"r&ierK

At 'ost, irrer s testi'on3 on&3 est"*&is2e# ion( s t2e4t o4 )ert"in ite's 4ro' t2e Vi1)on#e

resi#en)e "n# (ross ne(&e)t 4or 4"i&in( to '"int"in t2e s"n)tit3 o4 t2e )ri'e s)ene *3 'ovin( "roun# "n#"&terin( t2e e44e)ts o4 t2e )ri'e. irrer s testi'on3 4"i&e# to )onne)t ion(@s ")ts to e** "n# t2e ot2er

"))use#.

L" %o ;&


18/28

re=e)te# 4e&&o5 5"s. esi#es, 2is testi'on3 )ontr"#i)ts t2"t o4 A&4"ro 52o testi4ie# t2"t C"r'e&" "n#

e** 2"# "n on-(oin( re&"tion. In#ee#, i4 A&4"ro 5ere to *e *e&ieve#, C"r'e&" 5"nte# e** to )o'e to

2er 2ouse "roun# 'i#ni(2t. S2e even &e4t t2e ?it)2en #oor o$en so 2e )ou enter t2e 2ouse.

. T/' :&--+ )o%%o o%" &o#

T2ere is so'et2in( tru&3 re'"r?"*&e "*out t2is )"se: t2e $rose)ution s )ore t2eor3 t2"t C"r'e&"

"n# e** 2"# *een s5eet2e"rts, t2"t s2e 2"# *een un4"it24u& to 2i', "n# t2"t it 5"s 4or t2is re"son t2"t

e** *rou(2t 2is 4rien#s to 2er 2ouse to ("n(-r"$e 2er is tot"&&3 un)orro*or"te#

8or inst"n)e, nor'"&&3, i4 e**, " Con(ress'"n s son, )ourte# t2e 3oun( C"r'e&", t2"t 5ou *e

ne5s "'on( 2er )ir)&e o4 4rien#s i4 not "roun# to5n. ut, 2ere, none o4 2er 4rien#s or even t2ose 52o

?ne5 eit2er o4 t2e' )"'e 4or5"r# to "44ir' t2is. An# i4 e** 2"n(e# "roun# 5it2 2er, tr3in( to 5in 2er 4"vors, 2e 5ou sure&3 *e seen 5it2 2er. An# t2is 5ou "&& t2e 'ore *e so i4 t2e3 2"# *e)o'e

s5eet2e"rts, " re&"tion t2"t A&4"ro trie# to $ro=e)t 5it2 2er testi'on3.

ut, e%)e$t 4or A&4"ro, t2e N I "sset, no one "'on( C"r'e&" s 4rien#s or 2er 4rien#s 4rien#s

5ou testi43 ever 2e"rin( o4 su)2 re&"tions2i$ or ever seein( t2e' to(et2er in so'e $o$u&"r 2"n(outs in

P"r"6"7ue or M"?"ti. A&4"ro s )&"i' o4 " 4ive-2our #r"'" is &i?e "n "&ien $"(e, ru#e&3 "n# un)onne)te#&3

inserte# into e** "n# C"r'e&" s &i4e stories or &i?e " $ie)e o4 =i(s"5 $u11&e tri''e# to 4it into t2e s2"$e

on t2e *o"r# *ut #oes not *e&on( *e)"use it )&"s2es 5it2 t2e surroun#in( $ie)es. It 2"s neit2er "nte)e#ent

nor )on)o'it"nt su$$ort in t2e veri4i"*&e 4")ts o4 t2eir $erson"& 2istories. It is 7uite unre"&.

2"t is 'ore, A&4"ro testi4ie# t2"t s2e s"5 C"r'e&" #rive out o4 2er 2ouse 5it2 " '"&e $"ssen(er,

Mr. , 52o' A&4"ro t2ou(2t t2e 5"3 it &oo?e# 5"s "&so C"r'e&" s &over. T2is 5"s t2e "&&-i'$ort"nt

re"son e** su$$ose#&3 2"# 4or 5"ntin( to 2"r' 2er. A("in, none o4 C"r'e&" s re&"tives, 4rien#s, or

$eo$&e 52o ?ne5 2er ever testi4ie# "*out t2e e%isten)e o4 Mr. in 2er &i4e. No*o#3 2"s )o'e 4or5"r# to

testi43 2"vin( ever seen 2i' 5it2 C"r'e&". An# #es$ite t2e (rueso'e ne5s "*out 2er #e"t2 "n# 2o5 Mr.

2"# $&"3e# " ro&e in it, 2e never $resente# 2i'se&4 &i?e "n3one 52o 2"# &ost " s$e)i"& 4rien# nor'"&&3

5ou. O*vious&3, Mr. #i# not e%ist, " 'ere (2ost o4 t2e i'"(in"tion o4 A&4"ro, t2e 5o'"n 52o '"#e "&ivin( in4or'in( on )ri'in"&s.

W' - U.S. A & &

A'on( t2e "))use#, e** $resente# t2e stron(est "&i*i.


19/28

". T/' %"2' ?%'?"%" &o#-

e** )&"i's t2"t in +00+ 2is $"rents, Sen"tor 8re##ie e** "n# 2is 5i4e, E&i1"*et2, sent t2eir

son to t2e Unite# St"tes U.S. to &e"rn t2e v"&ue o4 in#e$en#en)e, 2"r# 5or?, "n# 'one3. B >&ori"

e**, 2is "unt, "))o'$"nie# 2i'. R"="2 Tours *oo?e# t2eir 4&i(2t to S"n 8r"n)is)o vi" Unite#

Air&ines. Jose4in" No&"s)o o4 R"="2 Tours )on4ir'e# t2"t e** "n# 2is "unt use# t2eir $&"ne ti)?ets.

e** to 2is 4rien#s, in)&u#in( 2is nei(2*or, Jenni4er C&"ire C"*rer", "n# 2is *"s?et*"&& *u##3,

Jose&ito Oren#"in Es)o*"r, o4 2is tr"ve& $&"ns. He even invite# t2e' to 2is despedida $"rt3 on M"r)2 ,

+00+ "t 8")es Dis)o "&on( M"?"ti Ave. /B On M"r)2 ,+00+, t2e eve o4 2is #e$"rture, 2e too? (ir&4rien#

Mi&"(ros C"sti&&o to " #inner "t un)2u's "t t2e M"?"ti Cine'" S7u"re. His *"s?et*"&& *u##3 R"4"e&

Jose 5it2 Tin" C"&'", " *&in# #"te "rr"n(e# *3 e**, =oine# t2e'. T2e3 "4ter5"r#s 5ent to 8")es Dis)o4or e**@s despedida $"rt3. A'on( t2ose $resent 5ere 2is 4rien#s P"u&o S"ntos "n# J"3 Orte(". B

. T/' 5o &::&+%" &o# )/')*-

T2e 4o&&o5in( #"3, M"r)2 0, +00+, e** &e4t 4or S"n 8r"n)is)o, C"&i4orni", 5it2 2is Aunt >&ori"

on *o"r# Unite# Air&ines 8&i(2t . 9B e4ore *o"r#in( 2is $&"ne, e** $"sse# t2rou(2 t2e P2i&i$$ine

I''i(r"tion *oot2 "t t2e "ir$ort to 2"ve 2is $"ss$ort )&e"re# "n# st"'$e#. I''i(r"tion O44i)er,

8er#in"n# S"'$o& )2e)?e# e** s vis", st"'$e#, "n# initi"&e# 2is $"ss$ort, "n# &et 2i' $"ss t2rou(2.GB He 5"s &iste# on t2e Unite# Air&ines 8&i(2t s P"ssen(er M"ni4est. B

On "rriv"& "t S"n 8r"n)is)o, e** 5ent t2rou(2 t2e U.S. I''i(r"tion 52ere 2is entr3 into t2"t

)ountr3 5"s re)or#e#. T2us, t2e U.S. I''i(r"tion N"tur"&i1"tion Servi)e, )2e)?in( 5it2 its Non-

i''i(r"nt In4or'"tion S3ste', )on4ir'e# e**@s entr3 into t2e U.S. on M"r)2 0, +00+. e** $resente#

"t t2e tri"& t2e INS Certi4i)"tion issue# *3 t2e U.S. I''i(r"tion "n# N"tur"&i1"tion Servi)e, B t2e

)o'$uter-(ener"te# $rint-out o4 t2e US-INS in#i)"tin( e**@s entr3 on M"r)2 0, +00+, 0B "n# t2e US-

INS Certi4i)"tion #"te# Au(ust /+, +009, "ut2enti)"te# *3 t2e P2i&i$$ine De$"rt'ent o4 8orei(n A44"irs,

)orre)tin( "n e"r&ier Au(ust + , +009 Certi4i)"tion./ B

). ' "& - o( U.S. -o o %#

In S"n 8r"n)is)o, e** "n# 2is "unt >&ori" 5ere 'et *3 t2e &"tter s #"u(2ter, M"ri" Teres"

e"'e, 52o *rou(2t t2e' to >&ori" s 2ouse in D"&3 Cit3, C"&i4orni". Durin( 2is st"3 5it2 2is "unt, e**

'et C2risto$2er P"u& Le("s$i Es(uerr", >&ori" s (r"n#son. In A$ri& +00+, e**, C2risto$2er, "n# "
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20/28

)ert"in D"$2ne Do'in(o 5"t)2e# t2e )on)ert o4 Dee&ite "n# in S"n 8r"n)is)o. /+B In t2e s"'e 'ont2,

Dorot23 2ee&o)? "n# 2er 4"'i&3 invite# e** to L"?e T"2oe to return t2e e**s 2os$it"&it3 52en s2e

5"s in t2eP2i&i$$ines. / B

In M"3 +00+, on invit"tion o4 "not2er "unt, Sus"n rott'"n, e** 'ove# to An"2ei'

Hi&&s, C"&i4orni".//B Durin( 2is st"3 t2ere, 2e o))u$ie# 2i'se&4 5it2 $&"3in( *"s?et*"&& on)e or t5i)e "

5ee? 5it2 Steven ee&er / B "n# 5or?in( "t 2is )ousin-in-&"5 s $est )ontro& )o'$"n3. /9B e** $resente#

t2e )o'$"n3 s &o(*oo? s2o5in( t2e t"s?s 2e $er4or'e#, /GB 2is $"3)2e)? , / B 2is ID, "n# ot2er e'$&o3'ent

$"$ers. On June + , +00+ 2e "$$&ie# 4or " #river@s &i)ense / B "n# 5rote t2ree &etters to 2is 4rien# Jenni4er

C"*rer" . /0B

On June , +00+, e** s $"rents visite# 2i' "t An"2ei' "n# st"3e# 5it2 t2e rott'"ns. On t2e

s"'e #"3, 2is 4"t2er intro#u)e# Honesto Ar"(on to 2is son 52en 2e )"'e to visit.B

On t2e 4o&&o5in(#"3, June 0, e**, in t2e )o'$"n3 o4 2is 4"t2er "n# Ar"(on 5ent to Riversi#e, C"&i4orni", to &oo? 4or "

)"r. T2e3 *ou(2t "n MR To3ot" )"r. +B L"ter t2"t #"3, " visitor "t t2e rott'"n s, Louis 2itt")?er,

s"5 e** &oo?in( "t t2e $&"tes o4 2is ne5 )"r . B To $rove t2e $ur)2"se, e** $resente# t2e Pu*&i)

Re)or#s o4 C"&i4orni" De$"rt'ent o4 Motor Ve2i)&e /B "n# " )"r $&"te ;LE E .< B In usin( t2e )"r

in t2e U.S., e** even re)eive# tr"44i) )it"tions. 9B

On June / , +00+ e**, "("in "))o'$"nie# *3 2is 4"t2er "n# Ar"(on, GB *ou(2t " *i)3)&e

"t Or"n(e C3)&e Center. B T2e Center issue# e** " re)ei$t #"te# June / , +00+. B On Ju&3 , +00+,

In#e$en#en)e D"3, t2e e**s, t2e rott'"ns, "n# t2e V")" 4"'i&3 2"# " &"?esi#e $i)ni). 0B

e** st"3e# 5it2 t2e rott'"ns unti& 'i# Ju&3 "n# rente# " $&")e 4or &ess t2"n " 'ont2. On

Au(ust , +00+ 2e &e4t 4or Lon(5oo#, 8&ori#", to st"3 5it2 t2e s$ouses J")? "n# Son=" Ro#ri(ue1.9 B T2ere, 2e 'et Ar'"n#o Ro#ri(ue1 5it2 52o' 2e s$ent ti'e, $&"3in( *"s?et*"&& on 5ee?en#s,

5"t)2in( 'ovies, "n# $&"3in( *i&&i"r#s. 9+B In Nove'*er +00+, e** 'et $er4or'in( "rtist >"r3

V"&en)i"no, " 4rien# o4 J")? Ro#ri(ue1, 52o 5"s invite# 4or " #inner "t t2e Ro#ri(ue1 s 2ouse. 9 B He &e4t

t2e Ro#ri(ue1 s 2o'e in Au(ust +00 , returne# to An"2ei' "n# st"3e# 5it2 2is "unt I'e"

P"("s$"s. He st"3e# t2ere unti& 2e &e4t 4or t2e P2i&i$$ines on O)to*er G, +00 .

$. T/' -')o#$ &::&+%" &o# )/')*-

As 5it2 2is tri$ (oin( to t2e U.S., e** "&so 5ent t2rou(2 *ot2 t2e U.S. "n# P2i&i$$ine

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21/28

5it2 en)&ose# &etter 4ro' A)tin( Dire)tor De*or" A. 8"r'er o4 t2e Re)or#s O$er"tions, O44i)e o4 Re)or#s

o4 t2e US-INS st"te# t2"t t2e Certi4i)"tion #"te# Au(ust /+, +009 is " true "n# "))ur"te st"te'ent. An#

52en 2e *o"r#e# 2is $&"ne, t2e P"ssen(er M"ni4est o4 P2i&i$$ine Air&ines 8&i(2t No. + /, 9 B )erti4ie# *3

A(nes T"*uen" 99B )on4ir'e# 2is return tri$.

2en 2e "rrive# in M"ni&", e** "("in 5ent t2rou(2 t2e P2i&i$$ine I''i(r"tion. In 4")t, t2e

"rriv"& st"'$ "n# initi"& on 2is $"ss$ort in#i)"te# 2is return to M"ni&" on O)to*er , +00 . T2is 5"s

"ut2enti)"te# *3 C"r'e&it" A&i$io, t2e i''i(r"tion o44i)er 52o $ro)esse# e** s reentr3. 9GB U$on 2is

return, in O)to*er +00 , P"o&o S"ntos, Jose&ito Eron#"in Es)o*"r, "n# R"4"e& Jose on)e "("in s"5 e**

$&"3in( *"s?et*"&& "t t2e 8@s P2"se III *"s?et*"&& )ourt.

'. A & & 2'%- - ?o-& &2' &$'# &(&)" &o#

T2e tri"& )ourt "n# t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s "re one in re=e)tin( "s 5e"? e** s "&i*i. T2eir re"son

is uni4or': e** s "&i*i )"nnot st"n# "("inst A&4"ro s $ositive i#enti4i)"tion o4 2i' "s t2e r"$ist "n# ?i&&er

o4 C"r'e&" "n#, "$$"rent&3, t2e ?i&&er "s 5e&& o4 2er 'ot2er "n# 3oun(er sister. e)"use o4 t2is, to t2e

&o5er )ourts, e** s #eni"& "n# "&i*i 5ere 4"*ri)"te#.

ut not "&& #eni"&s "n# "&i*is s2ou *e re("r#e# "s 4"*ri)"te#. In#ee#, i4 t2e "))use# is tru&3

inno)ent, 2e )"n 2"ve no ot2er #e4ense *ut #eni"& "n# "&i*i. So 2o5 )"n su)2 "))use# $enetr"te " 'in#

t2"t 2"s *een '"#e )3ni)"& *3 t2e ru&e #ri&&e# into 2is 2e"# t2"t " #e4ense o4 "&i*i is " 2"n('"n s noose in

t2e 4")e o4 " 5itness $ositive&3 s5e"rin(, ;I s"5 2i' #o it.


22/28

8irst, t2e $ositive i#enti4i)"tion o4 t2e o44en#er 'ust )o'e 4ro' " )re#i*&e 5itness. S2e is

)re#i*&e 52o )"n *e truste# to te&& t2e trut2, usu"&&3 *"se# on $"st e%$erien)es 5it2 2er. Her 5or# 2"s, to

one 52o ?no5s 2er, its 5ei(2t in (o.

An# se)on#, t2e 5itness stor3 o4 52"t s2e $erson"&&3 s"5 'ust *e *e&iev"*&e, not in2erent&3

)ontrive#. A 5itness 52o testi4ies "*out so'et2in( s2e never s"5 runs into in)onsisten)ies "n# '"?es

*e5ierin( )&"i's.

Here, "s "&re"#3 4u&&3 #is)usse# "*ove, A&4"ro "n# 2er testi'on3 4"i& to 'eet t2e "*ove )riteri".

S2e #i# not s2o5 u$ "t t2e N I "s " s$ont"neous 5itness *ot2ere# *3 2er )ons)ien)e. S2e 2"#

*een 2"n(in( "roun# t2"t "(en)3 4or so'eti'e "s " stoo& $i(eon, one $"i# 4or 'i%in( u$ 5it2 )ri'in"&s

"n# s7ue"&in( on t2e'. Po&i)e "ssets "re o4ten )ri'in"&s t2e'se&ves. S2e 5"s t2e $rose)ution s 5orst $ossi*&e )2oi)e 4or " 5itness. In#ee#, 2er su$erior testi4ie# t2"t s2e vo&unteere# to $&"3 t2e ro&e o4 "

5itness in t2e Vi1)on#e ?i&&in(s 52en s2e )ou not $ro#u)e " '"n s2e $ro'ise# to t2e N I.

An#, "&t2ou(2 2er testi'on3 in)&u#e# #et"i&s, A&4"ro 2"# $rior "))ess to t2e #et"i&s t2"t t2e

investi("tors ?ne5 o4 t2e )"se. S2e too? "#v"nt"(e o4 2er 4"'i&i"rit3 5it2 t2ese #et"i&s to in)&u#e in 2er

testi'on3 t2e )&e"r&3 in)o'$"ti*&e ")t o4 e** 2ur&in( " stone "t t2e 4ront #oor (&"ss 4r"'es even 52en

t2e3 5ere tr3in( to s&i$ "5"3 7uiet&3Q=ust so s2e )"n "))o''o#"te t2is )ri'e s)ene 4e"ture. S2e "&so

2"# Ventur" ru''"(in( " *"( on t2e #inin( t"*&e 4or " 4ront #oor ?e3 t2"t no*o#3 nee#e# =ust to e%$&"in

t2e $23si)"& evi#en)e o4 t2"t *"( "n# its s)"ttere# )ontents. An# s2e 2"# Ventur" )&i'*in( t2e )"r s 2oo#,

ris?in( *ein( seen in su)2 "n "5?5"r# $osition, 52en t2e3 #i# not nee# to #"r?en t2e ("r"(e to 4or)e

o$en t2e 4ront #oorQ=ust so to e%$&"in t2e #"r?ene# &i(2t "n# 4oot $rints on t2e )"r 2oo#.

8urt2er, 2er testi'on3 5"s in2erent&3 in)re#i*&e. Her stor3 t2"t >"t)2"&i"n, 8ern"n#e1, Estr"#",

Ro#ri(ue1, "n# 8i&"rt "(ree# to t"?e t2eir turns r"$in( C"r'e&" is in)on(ruent 5it2 t2eir in#i44eren)e,

e%e'$&i4ie# *3 re'"inin( outsi#e t2e 2ouse, 'i&&in( un#er " street &i(2t, visi*&e to nei(2*ors "n#

$"ssers*3, "n# s2o5in( no interest in t2e #eve&o$'ents insi#e t2e 2ouse, &i?e i4 it 5"s t2eir turn to r"$e

C"r'e&". A&4"ro s stor3 t2"t s2e "(ree# to serve "s e** s 'essen(er to C"r'e&", usin( u$ 2er ("s, "n#st"3in( 5it2 2i' ti&& t2e *i1"rre en# 52en t2e3 5ere $r")ti)"&&3 str"n(ers, "&so t"%es in)re#u&it3.

To $rovi#e *"sis 4or e** s outr"(e, A&4"ro s"i# t2"t s2e 4o&&o5e# C"r'e&" to t2e '"in ro"# to

5"t)2 2er &et o44 " &over on A(uirre Avenue. An#, ine%$&i)"*&3, "&t2ou(2 A&4"ro 2"# on&3 $&"3e# t2e ro&e

o4 'essen(er, s2e )&"i'e# &e"#in( e**, Le="no, "n# Ventur" into t2e 2ouse to ("n(-r"$e C"r'e&&", "s i4

A&4"ro 5"s est"*&is2in( " re"son 4or &"ter on testi43in( on $erson"& ?no5&e#(e. Her s5in( 4ro' "n


23/28

e'otion o4 4e"r 52en " 5o'"n 5o?e u$ to t2eir $resen)e in t2e 2ouse "n# o4 "*so&ute )our"(e 52en s2e

nonet2e&ess returne# to *e)o'e t2e &one 5itness to " (ri' s)ene is "&so 7uite ine%$&i)"*&e.

U&ti'"te&3, A&4"ro s 7u"&it3 "s " 5itness "n# 2er in)onsistent, i4 not in2erent&3 un*e&iev"*&e,

testi'on3 )"nnot *e t2e $ositive i#enti4i)"tion t2"t =uris$ru#en)e ")?no5&e#(es "s su44i)ient to =ettison "

#eni"& "n# "n "&i*i.

(. A $o) :'# '$ " & &

To est"*&is2 "&i*i, t2e "))use# 'ust $rove *3 $ositive, )&e"r, "n# s"tis4")tor3 evi#en)e 9 B t2"t "

2e 5"s $resent "t "not2er $&")e "t t2e ti'e o4 t2e $er$etr"tion o4 t2e )ri'e, "n# * t2"t it 5"s $23si)"&&3

i'$ossi*&e 4or 2i' to *e "t t2e s)ene o4 t2e )ri'e. 9 B

T2e )ourts *e&o5 2e t2"t, #es$ite 2is evi#en)e, e** 5"s ")tu"&&3 in P"r"6"7ue 52en t2e

Vi1)on#e ?i&&in(s too? $&")eF 2e 5"s not in t2e U.S. 4ro' M"r)2 0, +00+ to O)to*er , +00 F "n# i4 2e

#i# &e"ve on M"r)2 0, +00+, 2e ")tu"&&3 returne# *e4ore June 0, +00+, )o''itte# t2e )ri'e, er"se# t2e

4")t o4 2is return to t2e P2i&i$$ines 4ro' t2e re)or#s o4 t2e U.S. "n# P2i&i$$ine I''i(r"tions, s'u((&e#

2i'se&4 out o4 t2e P2i&i$$ines "n# into t2e U.S., "n# returne# t2e nor'"& 5"3 on O)to*er , +00 . ut

t2is ru&in( $r")ti)"&&3 '"?es t2e #e"t2 o4 e** "n# 2is $"ss"(e into t2e ne%t &i4e t2e on&3 "))e$t"*&e "&i*i

in t2e P2i&i$$ines. Courts 'ust "*"n#on t2is un=ust "n# in2u'"n $"r"#i('.

I4 one is )3ni)"& "*out t2e P2i&i$$ine s3ste', 2e )ou $ro*"*&3 )&"i' t2"t e**, 5it2 2is 4"t2er s

)onne)tions, )"n "rr"n(e 4or t2e &o)"& i''i(r"tion to $ut " M"r)2 0, +00+ #e$"rture st"'$ on 2is $"ss$ort

"n# "n O)to*er , +00 "rriv"& st"'$ on t2e s"'e. ut t2is is $ure s$e)u&"tion sin)e t2ere 2"# *een no

in#i)"tion t2"t su)2 "rr"n(e'ent 5"s '"#e. esi#es, 2o5 )ou e** 4i% " 4orei(n "ir&ines $"ssen(er

'"ni4est, o44i)i"&&3 4i&e# in t2e P2i&i$$ines "n# "t t2e "ir$ort in t2e U.S. t2"t 2"# 2is n"'e on t2e'K Ho5

)ou e** 4i% 5it2 t2e U.S. I''i(r"tion s re)or# s3ste' t2ose t5o #"tes in its re)or# o4 2is tr"ve&s "s

5e&& "s t2e #"tes 52en 2e su$$ose#&3 #e$"rte# in se)ret 4ro' t2e U.S. to )o''it t2e )ri'e in

t2e P2i&i$$ines "n# t2en return t2ereK No one 2"s )o'e u$ 5it2 " &o(i)"& "n# $&"usi*&e "ns5er to t2ese

7uestions.

T2e Court o4 A$$e"&s re=e)te# t2e evi#en)e o4 e** s $"ss$ort sin)e 2e #i# not &e"ve t2e ori(in"&

to *e "tt")2e# to t2e re)or#. ut, 52i&e t2e *est evi#en)e o4 " #o)u'ent is t2e ori(in"&, t2is 'e"ns t2"t

t2e s"'e is e%2i*ite# in )ourt 4or t2e "#verse $"rt3 to e%"'ine "n# 4or t2e =u#(e to see. As Court o4

A$$e"&s Justi)e T"(&e s"i# in 2is #issent, 90Bt2e $r")ti)e 52en " $"rt3 #oes not 5"nt to &e"ve "n i'$ort"nt

#o)u'ent 5it2 t2e tri"& )ourt is to 2"ve " $2oto)o$3 o4 it '"r?e# "s e%2i*it "n# sti$u&"te# "'on( t2e
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn57http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn58http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn59http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn57http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn58http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2010/december2010/176389.htm#_ftn59


24/28

$"rties "s " 4"it24u& re$ro#u)tion o4 t2e ori(in"&. Sti$u&"tions in t2e )ourse o4 tri"& "re *in#in( on t2e

$"rties "n# on t2e )ourt.

T2e U.S. I''i(r"tion )erti4i)"tion "n# t2e )o'$uter $rint-out o4 e** s "rriv"& in "n# #e$"rture

4ro' t2"t )ountr3 5ere "ut2enti)"te# *3 no &ess t2"n t2e O44i)e o4 t2e U.S. Attorne3 >ener"& "n# t2e St"te

De$"rt'ent. Sti&& t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s re4use# to "))e$t t2ese #o)u'ents 4or t2e re"son t2"t e** 4"i&e#

to $resent in )ourt t2e i''i(r"tion o44i)i"& 52o $re$"re# t2e s"'e. ut t2is 5"s unne)ess"r3. e** s

$"ss$ort is " #o)u'ent issue# *3 t2e P2i&i$$ine (overn'ent, 52i)2 un#er intern"tion"& $r")ti)e, is t2e

o44i)i"& re)or# o4 tr"ve&s o4 t2e )iti1en to 52o' it is issue#. T2e entries in t2"t $"ss$ort "re $resu'e#

true. G B

T2e U.S. I''i(r"tion )erti4i)"tion "n# )o'$uter $rint-out, t2e o44i)i"& )erti4i)"tions o4 52i)2

2"ve *een "ut2enti)"te# *3 t2e P2i&i$$ine De$"rt'ent o4 8orei(n A44"irs, 'ere&3 v"&i#"te# t2e "rriv"& "n##e$"rture st"'$s o4 t2e U.S. I''i(r"tion o44i)e on e** s $"ss$ort. T2e3 2"ve t2e s"'e evi#enti"r3

v"&ue. T2e o44i)ers 52o issue# t2ese )erti4i)"tions nee# not *e $resente# in )ourt to testi43 on

t2e'. T2eir trust5ort2iness "rises 4ro' t2e sense o4 o44i)i"& #ut3 "n# t2e $en"&t3 "tt")2e# to " *re")2e#

#ut3, in t2e routine "n# #isintereste# ori(in o4 su)2 st"te'ent "n# in t2e $u*&i)it3 o4 t2e re)or#. G+B

T2e Court o4 A$$e"&s o4 )ourse '"?es )"$it"& o4 t2e 4")t t2"t "n e"r&ier )erti4i)"tion 4ro' t2e U.S.

I''i(r"tion o44i)e s"i# t2"t it 2"# no re)or# o4 e** enterin( t2e U.S. ut t2"t erroneous 4irst

)erti4i)"tion 5"s "'$&3 e%$&"ine# *3 t2e U.S. >overn'ent "n# Court o4 A$$e"&s Justi)e T"(&e st"te# it in

2is #issentin( o$inion, t2us:

W/& ' & &- % ' /" "# '"% &'% C'% &(&)" &o# 5"- &-- '$ /' U.S. INS o#

A + - 16, 199 ($+ @#o '2&$'#)' o( "5( "$:&--&o# o( W' , /&- 5"-" %'"$ ) "%&(&'$ "#$ $'':'$ '%%o#'o - #o '-- /"# /' US INS O((&)&" -. A-'>? "'$ 5& #'-- L'o H'%%'%" L&:, Co#- "#$ S')o#$ S')%' "% o( /'P/& &??' E: "-- W"-/+ o# .C., -"&$ C'% &(&)" &o# $&$ #o ?"-- /%o +/?%o?'% $&? o:" &) )/"##' - "#$ 5"- o "'$ 2&o " &o# o( /' % '- o# ?%o o)o"#$ - "#$"%$ ?%o)'$ %' +o2'%#+ - )/ %'0 '- .

T/' & &" %'0 '- 5"- :'%' & &" '$ BI Co::&--&o#'% ;'%)' '- 5/o

$&%') )o:: #&)" '$ 5& / /' P/& &??' Co#- " ' S"# F%"#)&-)o, USA,?"--+ /' S')%' "% o( Fo%'&+# A(("&%- 5/&)/ &- /' ?%o?'% ?%o o)o?%o)'$ %'. M%. S '2'# B )/'%, /' ") + C/&'( o( /' R')o%$- S'%2&)'- Bo"%$ o( US INS W"-/+ o# .C. /&- ' '% "$$%'--'$ o P/& &? A# 5'& '%, P/& &??' '-* O((&)'%, S " ' '?"% :'# , $') "%'$ /' '"% &'% C'% &(&)" &o# "- )o%%') "#$'%%o#'o - "- & 5"- @#o '>/" - &2' "#$ $&$ #o %'( ') " "2"& " '(o%:" &o#. A -o, R&)/"%$ L. H ((, Co &%') o% o( /' O((&)' o( I#(o%:" &o# "#$?%&2") , US '?"% :'# o( J - &)', %'-?o#-' o /' "??'" %"&-'$ Co#-G'#'%" T'%'-& " ;. M"%


25/28

%')o%$- o# $&2&$ " - 5/o "%' '# '%+ /' )o # % "- 2&-& o%- %" /'% /"# "-&::&+%"# - "#$ /" " #o " &o# )o#)'%#+ /' '# % o( " 2&-& o% :" ' :"$' "/' No#&::&+%"# I#(o%:" &o# - - ':. S)' "??' "# W' '# '%'$ /' U.S. o# ":'%' o %&- 2&-", o 2&o - , /' & &" -'"%)/ )o $ #o /"2' ?%o$ )'$ /' $'-&%'$%'- "-: )/ "- /' $" " "-' /" 5"- oo*'$ o )o# "'$ '# %&'- o( /' #":'-o( IMMIGRANTS "#$ #o /" o( NON IMMIGRANT 2&-& o%- o( /' U.S.. G B

T2e tri"& )ourt "n# t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s e%$resse# '"r?e# )3ni)is' over t2e "))ur")3 o4 tr"ve&

#o)u'ents &i?e t2e $"ss$ort "s 5e&& "s t2e #o'esti) "n# 4orei(n re)or#s o4 #e$"rtures "n# "rriv"&s 4ro'

"ir$orts. T2e3 )&"i' t2"t it 5ou not 2"ve *een i'$ossi*&e 4or e** to se)ret&3 return to t2e P2i&i$$ines

"4ter 2e su$$ose#&3 &e4t it on M"r)2 0, +00+, )o''it t2e )ri'e, (o *")? to t2e U.S., "n# o$en&3 return to

t2e P2i&i$$ines "("in on O)to*er G, +00 . Tr"ve& *et5een t2e U.S. "n# t2e P2i&i$$ines, s"i# t2e &o5er

)ourts too? on&3 "*out t5e&ve to 4ourteen 2ours.

I4 t2e Court 5ere to su*s)ri*e to t2is e%tre'e&3 s?e$ti)"& vie5, it 'i(2t "s 5e&& te"r t2e ru&es o4

evi#en)e out o4 t2e &"5 *oo?s "n# re("r# sus$i)ions, sur'ises, or s$e)u&"tions "s re"sons 4or i'$e")2in(

evi#en)e. It is not t2"t o44i)i"& re)or#s, 52i)2 )"rr3 t2e $resu'$tion o4 trut2 o4 52"t t2e3 st"te, "re

i''une to "tt")?. T2e3 "re not. T2"t $resu'$tion )"n *e over)o'e *3 evi#en)e. Here, 2o5ever, t2e

$rose)ution #i# not *ot2er to $resent evi#en)e to i'$e")2 t2e entries in e** s $"ss$ort "n# t2e

)erti4i)"tions o4 t2e P2i&i$$ine "n# U.S. i''i(r"tion servi)es re("r#in( 2is tr"ve& to t2e U.S. "n#

*")?. T2e $rose)ution s re*utt"& evi#en)e is t2e 4e"r o4 t2e un?no5n t2"t it $&"nte# in t2e &o5er )ourt s

'in#s.

7. E((') o( W' - " & & o o /'%-

e** s #o)u'ente# "&i*i "&to(et2er i'$e")2es A&4"ro@s testi'on3, not on&3 5it2 res$e)t to 2i',

*ut "&so 5it2 res$e)t to Le="no, Estr"#", 8ern"n#e1, >"t)2"&i"n, Ro#ri(ue1, "n# ion(. 8or, i4 t2e Court

"))e$ts t2e $ro$osition t2"t e** 5"s in t2e U.S. 52en t2e )ri'e too? $&")e, A&4"ro s testi'on3 5i&& not

2o to(et2er. e** s $"rti)i$"tion is t2e "n)2or o4 A&4"ro s stor3. it2out it, t2e evi#en)e "("inst t2e

ot2ers 'ust ne)ess"ri&3 4"&&.

CONCLUSION

In our )ri'in"& =usti)e s3ste', 52"t is i'$ort"nt is, not 52et2er t2e )ourt entert"ins #ou*ts "*out

t2e inno)en)e o4 t2e "))use# sin)e "n o$en 'in# is 5i&&in( to e%$&ore "&& $ossi*i&ities, *ut 52et2er it

entert"ins " re"son"*&e, &in(erin( #ou*t "s to 2is (ui&t. 8or, it 5ou *e " serious 'ist"?e to sen# "n


26/28

inno)ent '"n to ="i& 52ere su)2 ?in# o4 #ou*t 2"n(s on to one s inner *ein(, &i?e " $ie)e o4 'e"t &o#(e#

i''ov"*&e *et5een teet2.

i&& t2e Court sen# t2e "))use# to s$en# t2e rest o4 t2eir &ives in $rison on t2e testi'on3 o4 "n

N I "sset 52o $ro$ose# to 2er 2"n#&ers t2"t s2e t"?e t2e ro&e o4 t2e 5itness to t2e Vi1)on#e '"ss")re t2"t

s2e )ou not $ro#u)eK

WHEREFORE , t2e Court RE;ERSES "n# SETS ASI E t2e De)ision #"te# De)e'*er +9,

9 "n# Reso&ution #"te# J"nu"r3 G, o4 t2e Court o4 A$$e"&s in CA->.R. CR-H.C. //G

"n# AC UITS "))use#-"$$e&&"nts Hu*ert Je44re3 P. e**, Antonio Le="no, Mi)2"e& A. >"t)2"&i"n,

Hos$i)io 8ern"n#e1, Mi(ue& Ro#ri(ue1, Peter Estr"#" "n# >er"r#o ion( o4 t2e )ri'es o4 52i)2 t2e3

5ere )2"r(e# 4or 4"i&ure o4 t2e $rose)ution to $rove t2eir (ui&t *e3on# re"son"*&e #ou*t. T2e3 "re

or#ere# i''e#i"te&3 RELEASE 4ro' #etention un&ess t2e3 "re )on4ine# 4or "not2er &"54u& )"use.

Let " )o$3 o4 t2is De)ision *e 4urnis2e# t2e Dire)tor, ure"u o4 Corre)tions, Muntin&u$" Cit3 4or

i''e#i"te i'$&e'ent"tion. T2e Dire)tor o4 t2e ure"u o4 Corre)tions is IRECTE to re$ort t2e ")tion

2e 2"s t"?en to t2is Court 5it2in 4ive #"3s 4ro' re)ei$t o4 t2is De)ision.

SO OR ERE .

ROBERTO A. ABA Asso)i"te Justi)e

WE CONCUR

I o /' $&--'# o( J. ;& "%":"RENATO C. CORONA

C2ie4 Justi)e

No P"rt. I testi4ie# in t2is )"se. P&e"se see )on)urrin( O$inionANTONIO T. CARPIO CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES

Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

J. Ve&"s)o on o44i)i"& *usiness No $"rt. 8i&e# $&e"#in( "s So&. >en.PRESBITERO J. ;ELASCO, JR. ANTONIO E UAR O B. NACHURA


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Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

I =oin( t2e #issent o4 J. Vi&&"r"'" I Certi43 t2"t J. rion )"st " #issentin( vote 5it2Vi&&"r"'" See su$$&e'ent"& O$inionTERESITA J. LEONAR O E CASTRO ARTURO . BRION Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

IOS A O M. PERALTA LUCAS P. BERSAMIN Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

No $"rt See #issentin( O$inion MARIANO C. EL CASTILLO MARTIN S. ;ILLARAMA, JR. Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

I vote 4or t2e v")"tion o4 t2e ver#i)t 5it2)onvi)tion t2ere *ein( " &in(erin( #ou*t.

JOSE PORTUGAL PERE! JOSE CATRAL MEN O!A Asso)i"te Justi)e Asso)i"te Justi)e

See se$"r"te )on)urrin( o$inionMARIA LOUR ES P. A. SERENO

Asso)i"te Justi)e

CERTIFICATION

Pursu"nt to Se)tion +/, Arti)&e VIII o4 t2e Constitution, it is 2ere*3 )erti4ie# t2"t t2e )on)&usionsin t2e "*ove De)ision 2"# *een re")2e# in )onsu&t"tion *e4ore t2e )"se 5"s "ssi(ne# to t2e 5riter o4 t2eo$inion o4 t2e Court.


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RENATO C. CORONA C2ie4 Justi)e

Vizconde Case

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