Republic of the Philippines
SUPREME COURT
Manila
FIRST DIVISION
G.R. No. 199898 September 3, 2014
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Plaintiff-Appellee,
vs.
LEO DELA TRINIDAD y OBALLES, Accused-Appellant.
D E C I S I O N
PEREZ, J.:
Before this Court is an appeal assailing the 24 March 2011 Decision1 of the Court of. Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. CR.-H.C. No. 04288. The CA affirmed the Decision of the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 25, Naga City, Camarines Sur finding the accused guilty of violating Section 11, Article II of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002.
The Antecedents
On 22 October 2008, an Information was filed against accused Leo Dela Trinidad yOballes (appellant) before the RTC, Naga City, Camarines Sur for violation of Section 11, Article II of R.A No. 9165, to wit:
That on or about October 21, 2008, in the City of Naga, Philippines and within the jurisdiction of thisHonorable Court, the above-named accused, without authority of law, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully and criminally have in his possession, custody and control nine and one-half (9 ½) bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops weighing more or less 475 grams including its (sic) wrapper; two (2) big bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops weighing more or less 550 grams including its (sic) wrapper; four (4) pieces of medium size cubes of suspected dried marijuana leaves weighing more or less 41.1 grams including its (sic) plastic containers; eighteen (18) pieces of small cubes of suspected dried marijuana leaves with fruiting tops weighing more or less 55.4 grams including its (sic) plastic container; and seventy[-]seven (77) pieces of small empty transparent plastic sachet, with a total weight of more or less 1,121.5 grams, which is a dangerous drug, inviolation of the above-cited law.2
Version of the Prosecution
On 27 September 2008, the Office of the Intelligence Section of the Naga City Police (Intelligence Section) received an information concerning a certain Leo De la Trinidad who was allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Police Senior Inspector Benigno Albao, Sr. (PSI. Albao), Chief of the Intelligence Section, interviewed the informant and after having been convinced that the information was true,3 he referred the matter to Senior Police Officer 1 Feliciano Aguilar (SPO1 Aguilar) and SPO1 Fersebal Abrantes (SPO1 Abrantes) for the conduct of a surveillance operation for further details.4
The surveillance operation confirmed the identity and exact location of appellant. The police operatives also observed during the surveillance that some suspected drug pushers visited the residence of appellant.5
After having verified the report thatappellant is indeed involved in drug trade, a test-buy was conducted on 10 October 2008.6 The test-buy brought forth positive result as the police asset was able to buy marijuana cubes, dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops worth ₱100.00 from appellant. After the initial test-buy, the informant was directed by the police operatives to continue monitoring appellant because there was a report that the latter is in possession of quantities of marijuana by the kilo.7
On 13 October 2008, a discussion onthe use of code names was made by the members of the team in order to conceal the identity of appellant and to secure their operation.8 The code name is "Leonidas de Leon" and the name of the plan is "Code Plan Sativa."9
On 16 October 2008, around 5:30 P.M., another test-buy took place through SPO1 Aguilar and SPO1 Abrantesand again, the asset was able to purchase one brick of dried marijuana leaves from appellant.10
On 17 October 2008, the bricks of marijuana purchased from appellant on 10 October 2008 and 16 October 2008 were submitted to the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office.11
On 20 October 2008, the police operatives applied for two search warrants from the RTC, Branch 25 in Naga City.12 One search warrant was applied for violation of Section 11, Article II of R.A. No. 9165 while the other one was for violation of P.D. No. 1866, as amended by R.A. No. 8294 or for illegal possession of firearmsand ammunitions because during the second test-buy, the police asset saw appellant with a gun which was tucked in his waist.13 Upon receipt of the search warrants, the team coordinated with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), as shown by the Certificate of Coordination. A pre-operation report was then submitted to the PDEA.14
The police operatives proceededto conduct a briefing for the execution of the search warrants. The said briefing was made at the Conference Room of the Naga City Police Office on 21 October 2008, at about 4:10 A.M.15 The briefing of the teamwas photographed. Among those present are the members of the raiding team16 and the mandatory witnesses, i.e.representative from the DOJ, Carlo Lamberto Tayo; media representative, Roy Ranoco; elected punong barangayof Sabang, Naga City Jose Jacobo and Kagawad Eugene Froyalde of Sabang, Naga City.
Around 5:10 AM of 21 October 2008, the group proceeded to the residence of appellant. They wereaccompanied by the DOJ and media representatives together with the local barangayofficials. Upon reaching appellant’s house, the raiding team knocked at his door and identified themselves as police officers from the Naga City Police Office and informed him that they are executing the search warrants issued by Judge Jaime Contreras. They told appellant that they have witnesses with them, and read to him the contents of the warrants and apprised him of his constitutional rights.17 PO2 Quintin Tusara took picturesof everything that transpired while the operatives were executing the warrants.18
When appellant was asked to produce the items enumerated in the search warrant, if indeed he really had them, appellant voluntarily presented the items which he took under his pillow. The items consisted of nine and a half (9 ½) bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves sealed with packaging tape, two (2) big bricks of suspected dried marijuana leaves sealed with packaging tape, four (4) medium sizecubes of suspected dried marijuana leaves placed inside the small transparent plastic sachet, and eighteen (18) pieces of small cubes of suspected dried marijuana leaves placed inside the small transparent plastic sachet.19 Also found were seventy-seven (77) pieces of empty transparent plastic sachets. SPO1 Aguilar, placed his initial, "FBA," in the said items.20
No firearm was found at the residence of appellant. An inventory was then conducted right inside the house of appellant and a certificate of inventory was prepared by SPO1 Louie Ordonez.21 The Certificate of Inventory and Certification of Orderly Search were duly signed by the witnesses in the presence of appellant.22
After making the necessary markings, appellant and the items seized from him were brought to the Naga City Police Station.23
The seized items were returned to the court of origin but were subsequently withdrawn for laboratory examination.24 A request to the Camarines Sur Provincial Office was subsequently madeby SPO1 Aguilar and the seized items were immediately brought to the Crime Laboratory for field test examination.25 The seized items were duly received by P/Insp. Edsel Villalobos (P/Insp. Villalobos).26
When subjected to both initial and final test examinations by P/Insp. Villalobos, the seized items were found positive for the presence of marijuana.27
Version of the Defense
In the early morning of 21 October 2008, appellant was in his house located in Sabang, Naga City together with his wife and children. Somebody knocked at their door, so hepeeped through the window and asked who was knocking. He noticed a lot of people outside and asked them who were they. Somebody answered that he was Kapitan, so the witness opened the door. They entered appellant’s house and immediately took pictures of it. He was told to just stay at the side and asked him to bring out the gun and the illegal drugs. When asked to bring out the illegal drugs, he heard somebody shouted, "I have already found it." They went near the table, but he was not able to see whatthey were doing because the table was surrounded by men. At that time, the appellant was seated on a bamboo chair with his hands placed on his nape. Thereafter, he was called and asked to sign on a piece of paper. When he asked what was that for, they told him that they were for the things found inhis house. A man approached him and read to him the contents of the warrant. Then, he was handcuffed and brought to the police station.28
Ruling of the RTC
In a Decision dated 16 November 2009,the trial court found appellant guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the offense charged. The RTC found that the prosecution succeeded in proving beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the appellant for violation of Section 11, Article II, R.A. No. 9165.
Appellant was sentenced to suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Two Million Pesos (₱2,000,000.00).
The RTC ruled that the evidence presented during the trial adequately proved all the elements of the offense.It held that appellant, not being authorized by law, with full knowledge that the items were dangerous drugs, had actual and exclusive possession, control and dominion over the drugs found in his house.29 It likewise held that the officers strictly complied with the guidelines prescribed by law on how drug operations should be conducted by law enforcers and in takingcustody and control of the seized drugs.30 On the other hand, accused failed to present any substantial evidence to establish his defense of frame-up. The RTC placed more weight on the affirmative testimonies of the prosecution witnesses, rather than the denials of the accused because positive testimonies are weightier than negative ones.31 With the positive identification made by the government witnesses as the perpetrator of the crime, his self-serving denial is worthless.32 Since there was nothing in the record to show that the arresting team and the prosecution witnesses were actuated by improper motives, their affirmative statements proving appellant’s culpability were respected by the trial court.
The Ruling of the Court of Appeals
The CA affirmed the decision of the RTC, upon a finding that all of the elements of illegal sale of dangerous drug have been sufficiently established by the prosecution. It found credible the statements of prosecution witnesses about what transpired during and after the test-buy, service of search warrant, and arrest of the accused. Further, it ruled that the prosecution has proven as unbroken the chain of custody of evidence. The CA likewise upheld the findings of the trial court that the entire operation conducted by the police officers enjoyed the presumption of regularity, absent any showing of illmotive on the part of those who conducted the same.
The CA likewise found appellant’s defenses of denial and frame-up unconvincing and lacked corroboration. Itnoted that appellant did not even present his wife, who was allegedly present during the search, to corroborate his claim.33
Hence, this appeal.
ISSUE
Appellant raised in his brief a loneerror on the part of the appellate court, to wit:
The trial court gravely erred in convicting the accused-appellant of the crime charged despite the prosecution’s failure to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Our Ruling
The appeal lacks merit.
Appellant submits that the trial court overlooked and misapplied some facts of substance, which if considered, could have altered the verdict. He maintains that he has no knowledge as to where the illegal drugs were found as he was not in possession of the same, and alleged thatthe bricks of marijuana were merely planted by the police operatives.34
Appellant’s contention is belied by the testimonies of the witnesses for the prosecution. It bears to stress that the defense of denial or frame-up, like alibi, has been invariably viewed with disfavor by this Court for it can easily be concocted and is a common defense ploy in most prosecutions for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act.35 They are self-serving evidence, and unless substantiated by clear and convincing evidence, cannot be given weight over the positive assertions of credible witnesses.36
In the prosecution of illegal possession of regulated or prohibited drugs, the following elements must beestablished: (1) the accused is in possession of an item or object, which isidentified to be prohibited or regulated drug; (2) such possession is not authorized by law; and (3) the accused freely and consciously possessed the drug.37 As correctly ruled by the CA, these elements were duly established by the prosecution. Jurisprudence is consistent in thatmere possession of a prohibited drug constitutes prima facieevidence of knowledge or animus possidendi sufficient to convict an accused inthe absence of any satisfactory explanation.38
The ruling of this Court in People v. Lagman39 is instructive.1âwphi1 It held that illegal possession ofregulated drugs is mala prohibita, and, as such, criminal intent is not an essential element. However, the prosecution must prove that the accused had the intent to possess (animus posidendi) the drugs. Possession, under the law, includes not only actual possession, but also constructive possession. Actual possession exists when the drug is in the immediate possession or control of the accused. On the other hand, constructive possession exists whenthe drug is under the dominion and control of the accused or when he has the right to exercise dominion and control over the place where it is found.Exclusive possession or control is not necessary. The accused cannot avoid conviction if his right to exercise control and dominion over the place where the contraband is located, is shared with another.
It must be emphasized that the finding of illicit drugs and paraphernalia in a house or building owned or occupied by a particular person raises the presumption of knowledge and possession thereof which, standing alone, is sufficient to convict.40 Here, accused-appellant failed to present any evidence to overcome such presumption. He merely insisted that he was framed and had no knowledge of where the prohibited drugs came from. In the absence of any contrary evidence, he is deemed to be in full control and dominion of the drugs found in his house. Accused-appellant argues that the corpus delictihas not been clearly established. He points out that although SPO1 Aguilar allegedly placed his markings on the confiscated items, no such marking was indicated in the certificate of inventory, nor were the weight of the said specimens indicated thereon. He further argues that the markings allegedly placed on the specimens seized were not even indicated in the return of the search warrant.41 Thus, he centers his argument on the contention that the integrity of the dangerous drugs was not ensured and its identity was not established with moral integrity.
Relevant to appellant’s case is the procedure to be followed in the custody and handling of the seized dangerous drugs as outlined in Section 21, paragraph 1, Article II, R.A. No. 9165, which reads:
(1) 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/orseized, 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[.]
This provision is elaborated in Section 21(a), Article II of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of R.A. No. 9165, which states:
(a) The apprehending officer/team having initial custody and control of the drugs shall, immediately after seizure and confiscation, physically inventory and photograph the same inthe presence of the accused or the person/s from whom such items were confiscated and/or seized, or his/her representative orcounsel, 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, thatthe physical inventory and photograph shall be conducted at the place where the search warrant is served; or at the nearest police station or at the nearest office of the apprehending officer/team, whichever is practicable, in case of warrantless seizures; Provided, further, that non-compliance with these requirements under justifiable grounds, as long asthe 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)
Strictly speaking, the aforecited provision of the IRR does not even require that the certificate of inventory must indicate the markings and the weight of the seized items. In fact, the rule even sanctions substantial compliance with the procedure to establish a chain of custody, as long as the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items are property preserved by the apprehending officers. In People v. Pringas,42 the Court recognized that the strict compliance with the requirements of Section 21 may not always be possible under field conditions; the police operates under varied conditions, and cannot at all times attend to all the niceties of the procedures in the handling of confiscated evidence.
As correctly ruled by the CA, the prosecution was able to establish the integrity of corpus delictiand the unbroken chain of custody. Aptly noting the findings of the trial court:
It was sufficiently established that representatives from the media and Department of Justice and even two (2) barangay local officials were present during the briefing and even until the conduct of the inventory. And that immediately after seizure and confiscation of the dangerous drugs, the same were inventoried and photographed in the presence of appellant and said persons, who even signed copies of the inventory. The seized illegal drugs were marked at accused’s residence and in his presence. P/S Insp. Villalobos testified that the seized items he received from Aguilar already contained the markings, "FBA". Besides, he also placed his own initials and signatures in blue markings to preserve and maintain the integrity of the specimens. Thus, there was no cogent reason why the court should doubt the trustworthiness and credibility of the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses.43
The integrity of the evidence is presumed to have been preserved unless there is a showing of bad faith, ill will, or proof that the evidence has been tampered with. Accused-appellant bear the burden of showing that the evidence was tampered or meddled with in order to overcome the presumption of regularity in the handling of exhibits by public officers and the presumption that public officers properly discharged their duties.44 Accused-appellant in this case failed to present any plausible reason to impute ill motive on the part of the arresting officers. Thus, the testimonies of the apprehending officers deserve full faith and credit.45 In fact, accusedappellant did not even question the credibility of the prosecution witnesses. He anchored his appeal solely on his allegation of frame-up and denial and on the alleged broken chain of the custody of the seized drugs.
In sum, we find no reason to modifyor set aside the decision of the CA. Accused-appellant was correctly found to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 11, Article II of R.A. No. 9165.
WHEREFORE, the appeal is DENIEDand the 24 March 2011 Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR.-H.C. No. 04288 is hereby AFFIRMED.
SO ORDERED.
JOSE PORTUGAL PEREZ
Associate Justice
WE CONCUR:
PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.*
Associate Justice
TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO**
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson |
LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Associate Justice |
ESTELA M. PERLAS-BERNABE
Associate Justice
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.
TERESITA J. LEONARDO-DE CASTRO
Associate Justice
Acting Chairperson, First Division
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, it is hereby certified that the conclusions in the above Decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to the writer of the opinion of the Court's Division.
ANTONIO T. CARPIO
Acting Chief Justice
Footnotes
* Per Special Q,dec No. 1772 dated 28 August 2014.
** Per Special Order No. 1771 dated 28 August 2014.
1 Rollo, pp. 105-118; Penned by Associate Justice Maritlor P.. Punzalan Castillo with Associate Justices Josefina Guevara-Salonga and Franchito N. Diamante, concurring.
2 Rollo, p. 3.
3 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 4.
4 TSN, 19 March 2009, p. 4.
5 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 5.
6 TSN, 19 March 2009, p. 7.
7 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 9.
8 TSN, 19 March 2009, p. 8.
9 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 10.
10 Id. at 9
11 TSN, 19 March 2009, p. 9.
12 Id. at 10.
13 Id.
14 Id. at 11.
15 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 16.
16 Members of the Intelligence Section who participated in the operation were SPO1 Aguilar, SPO1 Abrantes, PO3 Quintin Tusara, PO1 Louie Ordonez, and PO1 Albao.
17 TSN, 12 February 2009, p. 20.
18 Id. at 21.
19 Id. at 29-30.
20 Id. at 31.
21 TSN, 19 March 2009, p. 19.
22 TSN, 12 February 2009, pp. 25-26.
23 TSN, 19 March 2009, pp. 25-26.
24 Id. at 26-27.
25 TSN, 12 February 2009, pp. 33-34.
26 Id. at 37.
27 Id.
28 CA rollo, p. 49; Brief for the Accused-Appellant.
29 Records, pp. 143-144.
30 Id. at 144 citing Sec. 21, R.A. No. 9165.
31 Id. citing People v. Macario, 310 Phil. 581 (1995).
32 People v. Aquino, 379 Phil. 845, 853 (2000).
33 CA rollo, p. 10.
34 Id. at 50.
35 People v. Ulama, G.R. No. 186530, 14 December 2011, 662 SCRA 599, 613.
36 People v. Bagares, G.R. No. 99026, 4 August 1994, 235 SCRA 30, 35.
37 People v. Quiamanlon, G.R. No. 191198, 26 January 2011, 640 Phil. 697, 716 citing People v. Gutierrez, G.R. No. 177777, 4 December 2009, 607 SCRA 377, 390-396 further citing People v. Pringas, G.R. No. 175928, 31 August 2007, 531 SCRA 828, 846.
38 Id. citing Buenaventura v. People, G.R. No. 171578, 8 August 2007, 529 SCRA 500, 513.
39 593 Phil. 617, 625 (2008) citing People v. Tira, G.R. No. 139615, 28 May 2004, 430 SCRA 134.
40 Id. citing People v. Torres, 533 Phil. 227 (2006).
41 CA rollo, p. 52.
42 G.R. No. 175928, 31 August 2007, 531 SCRA 828.
43 Records, p. 144.
44 People v. Miranda, 560 Phil. 795, 810 (2007).
45 See People v. Macabalang, 538 Phil. 137, 155 (2006).
The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Foundation
