Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
THIRD DIVISION
G.R. No. 186390 October 2, 2009
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
ROSEMARIE R. SALONGA, Accused-Appellant.
D E C I S I O N
VELASCO, JR., J.:
This is an appeal from the August 29, 2008 Decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 02887 entitled People of the Philippines v. Rosemarie R. Salonga which affirmed the June 27, 2007 Decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 80 in Criminal Case No. Q-02-110989 for Violation of Section 5 of Article II of Republic Act No. (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The Facts
Accused-appellant was charged for two different offenses, as quoted in the following Informations:
Criminal Case No. Q-02-110988
That on or about the 31st of July 2002 in Quezon City, Philippines, the said accused, not being authorized by law to possess or use any dangerous drug, did, then and there, willfully, unlawfully and knowingly possess, sniff and/or use and under [her] control zero point zero seven (0.07) gram of methylamphetamine hydrochloride, a dangerous drug.
CONTRARY TO LAW.1
Criminal Case No. Q-02-110989
That on or about the 31st day of July 2002, in Quezon City, Philippines, the said accused, not being authorized by law to sell, dispense, deliver, transport or distribute any dangerous drug, did then and there, willfully and unlawfully sell, dispense, deliver, transport, distribute or act as broker in the said transaction, ZERO POINT ZERO SIX (0.06) grams of white crystalline substance containing Methylamphetamine Hydrochloride, a dangerous drug.
CONTRARY TO LAW.2
Upon the consolidation of the two cases, a joint trial was conducted by the trial court. Accused-appellant pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The Prosecution’s Version of Facts
The sole witness for the prosecution was PO1 Teresita Reyes (PO1 Reyes). A stipulation was agreed on by the parties with regard to the testimony of Forensic Chemical Officer Leonard T. Arban.
At the hearing on July 28, 2003, PO1 Reyes recalled that an informant arrived at their office on July 30, 2002. Their Police Chief, Col. Pareño, subsequently instructed them to form a buy-bust team in Barangay Sto. Domingo in Quezon City with one "alyas Marie" as the subject.3 Their team was composed of PO1 Reyes as the poseur-buyer, SPO1 Arcoy as team leader, and the confidential informant. Upon their arrival at dawn the next day, PO1 Reyes told "alyas Marie" that she was interested in buying shabu worth two hundred pesos. During the exchange she paid with two hundred peso marked bills.4 "Alyas Marie" gave her two small plastic sachets in return. At this point, PO1 Reyes raised her hand to signal the consummation of the transaction. SPO2 Nebres took hold of Marie and recovered the buy-bust money from her. Back at Camp Karingal she was turned over to the desk officer. PO1 Reyes marked the two sachets she received with the initials "TBR-RRS."5 "Alyas Marie" was found to be accused-appellant Rosemarie Salonga.6
Evidence for the Defense
Accused-appellant resolutely denied having sold shabu to the poseur-buyer. She likewise declared that the police did not recover any shabu from her. According to her, PO1 Reyes, PO2 Nebres, and SPO1 Arcoy barged into her house on July 31, 2002. They dragged her outside while she struggled. When asked why they were accosting her, the police officers just told her to do her explaining at Camp Karingal. Once there, PO1 Reyes frisked her and he later brought out shabu that had come from him and told her that the illegal drug came from her. Accused-appellant cried and was angered at the police officers’ false accusations. She was then detained. The next day, she was charged with violation of RA 9165. Later, when her sister came to visit her in jail, the police told them to settle the case "through financial means."7
The Ruling of the Trial Court
After a trial on the merits, the RTC acquitted accused-appellant on the drug possession charge but convicted her on drug pushing. The trial court exonerated accused-appellant on the possession charge as the police officer who recovered the two sachets of shabu was already dead and could not testify on the seizure. The sole witness, PO1 Reyes, did not see the actual confiscation of the shabu. The RTC, however, found PO1 Reyes’ testimony, though uncorroborated, to have sufficiently established the elements of the offense with regard to drug pushing.
The dispositive portion of the RTC Decision reads:
WHEREFORE, premises considered, judgment is hereby rendered as follows:
a) In Criminal Case No. Q-02-110989, the Court finds the accused GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the crime charged. Accordingly, she is hereby sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of P500,000.00; and
b) In Criminal Case No. Q-02-110988. Accused is ACQUITTED of the crime for insufficiency of evidence.
x x x x
SO ORDERED.8
The Ruling of the CA
On appeal, the CA affirmed the RTC Decision in its entirety.9 It held that the elements of the offense under RA 9165 had been adequately shown by the prosecution. It found that the chain of custody over the subject specimen was amply established and the defense of frame-up was unavailing.
Accused-appellant filed a timely Notice of Appeal before this Court.
On March 30, 2009, this Court directed the parties to submit supplemental briefs if they so desired. The parties manifested that they were no longer submitting additional briefs.
The Issues
I
WHETHER THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING ACCUSED-APPELLANT GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE CRIME CHARGED
II
WHETHER THE COURT A QUO GRAVELY ERRED IN FINDING THAT THE PROCEDURE FOR THE CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF PROHIBITED DRUGS WAS COMPLIED WITH
The defense claims that since no one else could corroborate PO1 Reyes’ testimony, the lower court should have given emphasis on the version of the defense that no buy-bust operation took place and that the plastic sachet of shabu was only shown to accused-appellant inside Camp Karingal.
The defense also argues that the first link in the chain of custody of the seized drugs was not shown, thus giving serious doubts about its identity. They insist that no proof was shown that the police officers marked the confiscated drug where it was seized. There is, thus, uncertainty as to whether the seized shabu was the same specimen forwarded by the police officers to the crime laboratory and subsequently presented during trial.
The issues raised are interrelated and need to be jointly discussed.
Accused-appellant relies solely on her word against that of the police officers, who are presumed to have done their official duties in a regular manner. As a general rule, the testimony of the police officers who apprehended the accused is usually accorded full faith and credit because of the presumption that they have performed their duties regularly. But when the performance of their duties is tainted with irregularities, such presumption is effectively destroyed.10
We find in the instant case that there are circumstances which serve to successfully dispute the presumption normally accorded to law enforcement officers.
RA 9165 and its implementing rules require the buy-bust team to mark all seized evidence at the buy-bust scene. This, the buy-bust team led by SPO1 Arcoy failed to do.
Sec. 21(a), Art. II of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9165 provides:
(a) The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and photograph the same in the presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any elected public official who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof: Provided, further, that non-compliance with these requirements under justifiable grounds, as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending officer/team, shall not render void and invalid such seizures of and custody over said items. (Emphasis supplied.)
The records reveal the non-compliance with RA 9165, as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
Q When you said that you were interested to buy two hundred pesos worth of shabu, what did alyas Marie do?
A She took my money.
Q And what did she do after getting your money?
A After that she handed to me two pieces of [a] small plastic sachet.
Q What were contained in those two small pieces of plastic sachet?
A The one I bought from her.
Q And after you received those two (2) plastic [sachets], what else did you do?
A After that I gave my [pre-arranged] signal by raising my hand.
Q And what happened after you raised your right hand as your [pre-arranged] signal?
A My companions arrived.
Q What happened after they arrived?
A We were able to arrest Marie.
Q Who took hold of Marie?
A SPO2 Nebres.
Q And what happened to the buy bust money you gave?
A Nebres [was] able to recover the [buy bust] money from Marie.11
x x x x
CROSS-EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
Q But prior to that, Madam witness, did you coordinate with the Barangay Captain or Brgy. Operation of Sto. Domingo before you went there?
A No, sir.
Q And is it not a fact that it is an SOP in the conduct of buy-bust operation[s] to have a coordination before you conduct a buy bust operation[?] [P]lease answer it by yes or no. It is SOP in the conduct of buy-bust operation[s] that there has to be [c]oordination first?
A It was the TOC who dispatch[ed] [us] and who made the call to hold on to the police station.
x x x x
CROSS-EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
Q Madam Witness, when you allegedly recovered these sachets from the accused, did you submit your inventory report to the PDEA?
A No, sir.
x x x x
RE-DIRECT EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
Q Why did you not make an inventory and [take] pictures of the shabu that you recovered?
A Because our photographer at [the] time was absent.
Q And how about the inventory, why did you not make an inventory?
A Because our team leader did not bother to make [an] inventory.
Q So it is the team leader who will make the inventory?
A Yes, sir.12
DIRECT EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
x x x x
Q So, there were only two pieces of sachet that you [recovered]?
A Yes, sir.
Q You don’t have any participation in the recovery of the other two?
A None, sir.
Q [Who] was in charge of the recovery of the other two?
A PO2 Nebres.
Q And where is she now?
A Dead already.13
x x x x
CROSS EXAMINATION OF SPO1 REYES
Q And you are very much experience[d] in conducting buy bust operation, am I correct?
A Yes, sir.
Q And in fact you can no longer recall the number of times that you appeared in court where you were call[ed] to testify as a government witness in cases of violation of drug law?
A Yes, sir.
Q So am I correct in saying that you were well aware on the requirement of law in view of your length of service in the PNP in conducting buy bust operation?
A Yes, sir.
Q Madam Witness, on July 30, 2002 before you and SPO4 Arcoy and SPO2 Nebres proceeded with the buy bust operation, what procedural requirement did you do?
A SPO2 Arcoy coordinated with the PDEA.
Q How did you know that SPO2 Arcoy coordinated with the PDEA?
A He has a copy of the coordination paper.
Q When did you see that coordination paper with the PDEA, Madam Witness?
A I was at the office at that time.
Q When was the last time that you saw that coordination paper with the PDEA?
A Last 2002.
Q Where is Arcoy now, Madam Witness?
A Dead already.
Q In other words, that coordination report can no longer [be] produce[d] anymore considering the death of Arcoy?
A Yes, sir.
x x x x
Q Madam Witness, I asked you a while ago whether you are familiar with the requirement of law in conducting buy bust operation and you answered in the affirmative. Madam witness, under RA 9165 there are certain legal safeguard[s] which should be followed by the police officer and some of the requirements are photographs to be taken of the alleged confiscated items, did you take photograph[s] of the alleged shabu that you [allegedly] recovered?
A We did not take a picture because the camera [was broken].
Q Madam Witness, considering that you were very much familiar with the requirement of law, did you not submit a post operation report with the PDEA informing them regarding the result of your buy bust operation where a certain alias Marie later on identified as Rosemarie Salonga was caught for violation of Section 5 of RA 9165?
A No sir, but Arcoy [did].
We do not wish to speculate as to why PO1 Reyes contradicted her own testimony during the three separate hearings where she was on the witness stand. Generally, little inconsistencies serve to even strengthen the credibility of a witness. To our mind, however, these inconsistencies must be seen together with the unjustified lapses in the handling of the illegal drugs subject of the buy-bust operation. These lapses could have been explained by the prosecution but its lone witness could not accurately recall the reasons for the lapses. Worse, SPO2 Nebres, who had found two of the four sachets of shabu on accused-appellant’s person during the buy-bust, was already dead and could not testify to clarify SPO1 Reyes’ contradictory statements. When asked why no photographs of the illegal drugs were taken, SPO1 Reyes answered that the photographer was absent.14 But during her cross-examination she was asked the same question and she replied that they did not take a photograph because the camera was broken.15 When asked why the buy-bust team did not make an inventory, PO1 Reyes simply stated, "Because our team leader did not bother to make the inventory."16 (Emphasis supplied.) SPO1 Arcoy could have clarified PO1 Reyes’ testimony but he too was already deceased at the time of the trial. Evidence could have been presented showing a justifiable reason why the evidence was not marked immediately after the buy-bust and in front of accused-appellant, but again, SPO1 Reyes’ testimony was lacking in this regard.
We see here a situation similar to People v. Partoza,17 which dealt with a police officer who failed to observe Sec. 21 of RA 9165:
PO3 Tougan did not mark the seized drugs immediately after he arrested appellant in the latter’s presence. Neither did he make an inventory and take a photograph of the confiscated items in the presence of appellant. There was no representative from the media and the Department of Justice, or any elected public official who participated in the operation and who were supposed to sign an inventory of seized items and be given copies thereof. None of these statutory safeguards were observed.
While this Court recognizes that non-compliance by the buy-bust team with Section 21 is not fatal as long as there is a justifiable ground therefor, and as long as the integrity and the evidentiary value of the confiscated/seized items are properly preserved by the apprehending team, yet these conditions were not met in the case at bar.
While a lone witness’ testimony is sufficient to convict an accused, it must be credible and believable, qualities we cannot ascribe to this case. Major lapses were not explained, raising doubts as to the preservation of the integrity of the evidence. The varying reasons the prosecution proffered as to why there was a departure from the procedure found in RA 9165 do not, to our mind, justify the buy-bust team’s non-compliance. We are not ready to affirm a conviction in the face of such flimsy and contradictory excuses for why the evidence was improperly handled. As this Court recently observed in People v. Robles,18 the failure of the police to comply with the procedure in the custody of seized drugs raises doubt as to their origins, and negates the operation of the presumption of regularity accorded to police officers.1avvphi1
To emphasize the importance of the corpus delicti in drug charges, we have held that it is essential that the prohibited drug confiscated or recovered from the suspect is the very same substance offered in court as exhibit; and that the identity of said drug be established with the same unwavering exactitude as that requisite to make a finding of guilt.19 This requirement is found wanting in this case. With the buy-bust team’s unwarranted non-compliance with the chain of custody procedure, we are unable to say with certainty that the identity of the seized drugs is intact and its evidentiary value undiminished. For this reason, we find that the prosecution has not been able to prove the guilt of accused-appellant beyond reasonable doubt. The weakness of accused-appellant’s defense is no longer material as the prosecution was not able to overcome the presumption of innocence accused-appellant enjoys.
WHEREFORE, the appeal is GRANTED. The Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-H.C. No. 02887 is REVERSED and SET ASIDE. Accused-appellant Rosemarie R. Salonga is ACQUITTED on ground of reasonable doubt.
The Bureau of Corrections is ordered to cause the immediate release of accused-appellant, unless she is being lawfully held for another cause, and to inform this Court of action taken within ten (10) days from notice.
SO ORDERED.
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Chairperson
MINITA V. CHICO-NAZARIO
Associate Justice |
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
Associate Justice |
LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGO
Associate Justice
Chairperson
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
Pursuant to Section 13, Article VIII of the Constitution, and the Division Chairperson’s Attestation, I certify that the conclusions in the above Decision had been reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court’s Division.
REYNATO S. PUNO
Chief Justice
Footnotes
* Additional member as per July 28, 2009 raffle.
1 CA rollo, p. 54.
2 Id. at 62.
3 Id. at 3.
4 Id. at 4-7.
5 TSN, June 27, 2006, p. 3.
6 CA rollo, p. 9.
7 Id. at 115-116
8 Id. at 22. Penned by Judge Ma. Theresa Dela Torre-Yadao.
9 Rollo, p. 18. Penned by Associate Justice Myrna Dimaranan Vidal and concurred in by Associate Justices Jose L. Sabio, Jr. and Jose C. Reyes, Jr.
10 People v. Cantalejo, G.R. No. 182790, April 24, 2009.
11 TSN, July 28, 2003, pp. 7-10.
12 TSN, March 23, 2004, pp. 2-8.
13 TSN, June 27, 2006, pp. 2-5.
14 TSN, March 23, 2004, p. 7.
15 TSN, June 27, 2006, p. 12.
16 TSN, March 23, 2004, p. 8.
17 G.R. No. 182418, May 8, 2009.
18 G.R. No. 177220, April 24, 2009.
19 Sales v. People, G.R. No. 182296, April 7, 2009.
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