Republic of the Philippines

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BOHOL

7th Juici!l Re"ion
B#!nch $7
Cit% of T!"bil!#!n
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE&
Pl!intiff' C#i()C!se)No)*+,7+
Fo#-
./e#sus. 0IOLATION OF &ECTION 12
OF P3 74+ A& A5EN3E3 B6
CIRILO A7OBER' JR)' et !l) RA 7*1*
Accuse)
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5E5ORAN3U5 FOR THE ACCU&E3
Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)
PREFATORY STATEMENTS
In his colu(n ;PUBLIC LI0E&<' on the topic Barangay autonomy, publishe in
the &UN3A6' OCTOBER ,7' ,4*= issue of the PHILIPPINE 3AIL6 IN>UIRER' R!n%
3!/i' pe#tinentl% s!i th!t-
A& THE n!tion "oes to the polls to(o##o? to elect offici!ls of the b!#!n"!%' the
s(!llest !(inist#!ti/e unit in ou# s%ste( of "o/e#n(ent' it is ?ell to #eflect on ?h!t it
(e!ns fo# b!#!n"!% elections to be nonp!#tis!n) There is a direct connection
between nonpartisanship and local autonomy that is not always appreciated by
our political leaders and citizens.
Nonp!#tis!nship in this conte8t (e!ns th!t politic!l p!#ties !#e b!##e f#o(
fielin" c!ni!tes fo# b!#!n"!% positions' o# f#o( inte#fe#in" in !n% (!nne# in these
elections so !s to sh!pe electo#!l outco(es) This rule, as we know, is more honored
in the breach than in the observance. Althou"h politic!l p!#ties o not o/e#tl% fiel
c!ni!tes' barangay elections have, over the years, become crucial battlegrounds
for control over municipal and provincial constituencies. B!se on the nu(be# of
b!#!n"!% c!pt!ins the% c!n count upon' loc!l politici!ns c!n c!lcul!te the !pp#o8i(!te
nu(be# of /otes une# thei# co((!n)
It is these command votes that constitute the crucial bargaining chips in
the sometimes elaborate transactions that take place during midterm and
presidential elections. In view of this, barangay elections become dress
rehearsals for political contests at the municipal and provincial levels. Barangay
captains are perceived as nothing more than vote aggregators for the higher level
politicians they serve, and hardly the voice of the grassroots community they are
supposed to represent. @Ple!se see clippin" he#eto !tt!che !s Anne8 ;*<' bol' it!lic'
une#linin"' supplieA)
If onl% to e(ph!siBe th!t' in Bohol' B!#!n"!% elections !#e he#etofo#e PARTI&AN
!cti/ities' the b!nne# he!line of the &UN3A6' OCTOBER *=' ,4*= issue of The Bohol
Ch#onicle #e!s- ;B!#!n"!% polls remain p!#tis!n<) @Ple!se see clippin" he#eto !tt!che
!s Anne8 ;,<' bol' it!lic' une#linin"' supplieA) P!#s) * !n , the#eof' #e!- ;3espite
Co(elecCs p#onounce(ents th!t b!#!n"!% elections shoul be e/oi of politic!l
eno#se(ents' it remains evident that politicians are all over involved in the
coming barangay polls set on ct. !". In f!ct' @inA the cit%' the c!(p@sA of 5!%o#
B!b! 6!p !n fo#(e# 5!%o# 3!n Li( !#e fielin" thei# #especti/e c!ni!tes ?hich c!n
ne/e# be enie of thei# politic!l b!cDin"s) This is likewise true in the #$
municipalities here. @Bol' it!lic' supplieA)
THE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED
The b!ttle"#oun bein" cle!#l% #!?n f#o( the e/ience of both p!#ties' the
Hono#!ble Cou#t is c!lle upon to #esol/e the 5AIN issue of ;Ehethe# o# not the
p#osecution h!s isch!#"e its bu#en of est!blishin" the "uilt of the !ccuse be%on
#e!son!ble oubt)<
DISCUSSIONS AND ARGUMENTS
The p#osecution f!ile in its bu#en of p#o/in"
the "uilt of the !ccuse be%on #e!son!ble
oubt)
In suppo#t of the fo#e"oin" contention' !ccuse' b% his une#si"ne counsel'
in/ites the Din !ttention of the Hono#!ble Cou#t to the follo?in"-
a. There is conflict in the testimony of the same
witness.
On i#ect e8!(in!tion' PE Bonif!cio A:obe# ecl!#e to the effect th!t' !t !#oun
ei"ht oCclocD in the (o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+' ,4**' he !n his co(p!nion G!uencio Betuin
?e#e oin" c!#pent#% ?o#Ds !t the house of 3esi#ee GonB!"! situ!te !t the B!#!n"!%
p#ope# of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol' ?hile R!(on Po"o% ?!s Fust NEARB6 to the pl!ce
?he#e the% @A:obe# !n BetuinA ?e#e oin" c!#pent#% ?o#Ds) It ?!s u#in" th!t !te
!n ti(e th!t ?hile the% ?e#e oin" c!#pent#% ?o#Ds' th!t' so(e thi#t% (ete#s !?!% f#o(
the house of 3esi#ee GonB!"!' ! (ulti.c!b #i/en b% the !ccuse' pulle o/e# !n
the#e!fte# th#ee pe#sons !li"hte f#o( the /ehicle' n!(el%' the !ccuse !n his
co(p!nions !n co.!ccuse O#l!no 5!c!sin!"' the ch!ins!? ope#!to# ?ho c!##ie the
ch!ins!?' !n Jo!Guin C!l!c!#' the helpe#) The% then p#oceee to the uppe# po#tion of
the pl!ce ?he#e the% cut ! (ol!/e t#ee) Th!t ?hile O#l!no ?!s cuttin" the t#ee ?ith the
help of Jo!Guin' !ccuse A:obe# ?!s Fust ne!#b% ?he#e the t#ee ?!s cut) The cuttin"
!n the s!?in" @into lu(be#A tooD thi#t% (inutes' !fte# ?hich' the s!?n lu(be# ?e#e
lo!e on the (ulti.c!b of !ccuse A:obe# ?ho liDe?ise helpe in the lo!in") @T&N'
P#ie"o' He!#in" Au") ,' ,4*,' pp) + to HA)
On his p!#t' PE R!(on Po"o% ecl!#e on c#oss.e8!(in!tion th!t not one of
the( ?!s !t the b!#!n"!% h!ll of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol th!t (o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+'
,4**' i) e)' not e/en he) Althou"h he !(itte th!t' consie#in" th!t the b!#!n"!% h!ll is
onl% !bout thi#t% (ete#s !?!% f#o( his house' th!t (o#nin"' he p!sse b% the b!#!n"!%
h!ll ?hen he ?ent to ! sto#e to bu% so(ethin") But' he hi(self i not "et insie the
b!#!n"!% h!ll) @T&N' T!#!%' Oct) *2' ,4*, he!#in"' pp) 7 to 2A)
2
On fu#the# c#oss.e8!(in!tion' PE R!(on Po"o% (!int!ine his insistence th!t
not one of the( ?!s the#e !t the b!#!n"!% h!ll of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol) Thus' he
ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> 3u#in" the p#eli(in!#% in/esti"!tion of this c!se %ou !n %ou# co.!ffi!nts @of E8h) ;A<A ?e#e p#esent
the#e !t the Office of the P#o/inci!l P#osecution of Bohol' is this co##ectI
A 6es)
> An %ou ?e#e the onl% one in/esti"!te b% the In/esti"!tin" P#osecuto#' is this co##ectI
A 6es si#)
> An ?hen !sDe ?he#e the th#ee of %ou ?e#e !t !bout 2-44 oCclocD in the (o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+' ,4**
%ou# !ns?e# ?!s' ;?e ?e#e !t the B!#!n"!% H!ll of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol< is this co##ectI
A No ?e ?e#e onl% !t the B!#!n"!% p#ope#)
@Ibi)' p) 2A)
At this Functu#e' ?e in/ite the Din !ttention of the Hono#!ble Cou#t to the
RE&OLUTION @!fte# the #eGui#e p#eli(in!#% in/esti"!tionA p#ep!#e !n si"ne b% no
less th!n the P#o/inci!l P#osecuto# !te June *1' ,4** (!#De !n offe#e in e/ience
!s E8h) ;*H<' the pe#tinent po#tion the#eof @par. %, marked as &'h. %()*+ #e!s !s
follo?s-
As ?itnesses' n!(el% B#"%) J!") R!(on Po"o%' B#"%) J!") Bonif!cio Anobe#
!n B#"%) J!") G!uencio H) Betuin' allege among others, that they were at the
Brgy. ,all of -omboy, Inabanga Bohol on .arch !/, !0%% at about "100 o2clock in
the morning when they saw personally persons cutting a .olave tree, they were
at a distance of about thirty 340+ meters from the place the molave tree was cut,
the% i not !pp#o!ch the pe#sons cuttin" but the% ?e#e !ble to ientif% the( !s
B!#!n"!% C!pt!in Ci#ilo Anobe# !n his ch!ins!? helpe#s L!no 5!c!sin!" !n
Jo!Guin C!l!c!#) The% s!? the lo"s !n the s(!ll siBe lu(be#s bein" lo!e in the #e
5ultic!b o?ne b% B!#!n"!% C!pt!in Ci#ilo Anobe# !n #oppe !t the Function ne!#
the house of the B!#!n"!% C!pt!in !n then co/e#e the( ?ith coconut le!/es) The%
i not #epo#t the incient to !n%bo% but the% ?e#e su#p#ise ?hen police(en f#o(
In!b!n"! !##i/e !n confisc!te the lo"s !n the s(!ll siBe lu(be#s) The% ?e#e so
(!n% people ?ho ?itnesse the cuttin" of the (ol!/e t#ee but the% coul no lon"e#
#ec!ll thei# n!(es) @Bol' it!lic' supplieA)
Thus' in thei# testi(onies on i#ect e8!(in!tion' the th#ee p#osecution suppose
e%e.?itnesses' 5amon 6ogoy included, cl!i(e th!t the% s!? the !lle"e cuttin"
incient !t !bout 2-44 oCclocD in the (o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+' ,4** while they were at the
house of 7esiree 8onzaga. Ho?e/e#' u#in" the Cl!#ific!to#% He!#in" conucte b%
no less th!n the P#o/inci!l P#osecuto#' PE R!(on Po"o% s!n" !nothe# son") This
ti(e' he cl!i(e ;that they 3three affiants of &'h. *+ were at the Brgy. ,all of
-omboy, Inabanga Bohol on .arch !/, !0%% at about "100 o2clock in the morning
when they saw personally persons cutting a .olave tree, they were at a distance
of about thirty 340+ meters from the place the molave tree was cut, 8 8 8 ;)
Not to be t!Den li"htl% is the f!ct th!t' b!se on the testi(on% of ! p#osecution
?itness' the house of 3esi#ee GonB!"! is Guite f!# f#o( the b!#!n"!% h!ll) Thus' on
c#oss.e8!(in!tion' PE Bonif!cio A:obe# ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> This B!#!n"!% H!ll of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol' ho? f!# is it f#o( the house of 3esi#ee GonB!"!I
A &e/ent% @74A (ete#s !?!%)
3
@T&N' P#ie"o' &ept) *=' ,4*, he!#in"' p) *4A)
Althou"h the isc#ep!nc% is no oubt (!te#i!l !n !(!"in"' the p#osecution
#este its c!se ?ith n!#% !n !tte(pt to e8pl!in the isc#ep!nc%) P#ob!bl%' the Hon) T#i!l
P#osecuto# (ust h!/e fin!ll% #e!liBe th!t the sto#% of the suppose p#osecution e%e.
?itnesses is nothin" but ! #!(! not ?ell.#ehe!#se !n it is be%on #ep!i#) Hence' no
!(ount of !(!"e cont#ol ?oul be sufficient to #ep!i# the !(!"e)
Re"!#in" conflict in the testi(on% of the s!(e ?itness' the &up#e(e Cou#t hel
THAT-
A ?itness ?ho ch!n"es his 8 8 8 st!te(ents' liDe ! ch!(eleon ch!n"es colo#'
oes not inspi#e confience' !n ?hen his testi(on% is liDe?ise inco(p!tible ?ith his
conuct i((ei!tel% !fte# the c#i(e in Guestion' it h!s little p#ob!to#% /!lue) @People
/s) Go Lee' L.,$1,' 5!#ch 1' *H+4A)
8 8 8 ?hen ! ?itness (!Des t?o st!te(ents in one c!se' !n these
st!te(ents incu# the "#!/est cont#!ictions' the cou#t c!nnot !ccept eithe# the fi#st o#
the secon st!te(ents !s p#oof) &uch ?itness b% his o?n !ct of "i/in" f!lse testi(on%
i(pe!ches his o?n testi(on% !n the cou#t is co(pelle to e8clue it f#o( !ll
consie#!tions) @U) &) /s P!l!' *H Phil) *H4K 6utuD /s 5!nil! Elect#ic Co)' L.*=4*1'
5!% =*' *H1*' , &CRA ==7A)
b)There is conflict of testimonies between the
supposed prosecution eye)witnesses and the 7&95
officials.
A stu% of the t#!nsc#ipts of the steno"#!phic notes t!Den u#in" the t#i!l ?oul
#e!il% #e/e!l ! conflict of testi(onies bet?een the suppose p#osecution e%e.?itnesses
!n the 3ENR offici!ls) Thus' the th#ee b"%) J!"!?!s' co.!ffi!nts of E8h) ;A<' the
suppose p#osecution e%e.?itnesses cl!i(e th!t the cuttin" incient h!ppene at
about "100 o2clock in the morning of .arch !/, !0%%) Ho?e/e#' the pe#tinent po#tion
of p!#) , of the CRI5INAL CO5PLAINT' (!#De !n offe#e in e/ience !s E8h) ;,*<'
si"ne b% ALEJAN3RO A) E&TOPA' 3ENR #ep#esent!ti/e of CENRO' T!libon' Bohol'
#e!s !s follo?s-
Th!t on .arch !/, !0%% at about 4140 in the afternoon more or less !t
B!#!n"!% Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol ?ithin the p#eli(in!#% Fu#isiction of this hono#!ble
cou#t' the !bo/e cite !ccuse @IA pe#sons ?ith intent to "!in thei# o?n benefits 8 8 8
i' then !n the#e ?illfull%' unl!?full% !n ille"!ll% cut 7 pieces of plitches !n #oun
lo" of 5ol!/e lu(be# 8 8 8 @bol' it!lic' une#linin"' supplieA)
The#e is the#efo#e ! ?h!le of ! iffe#ence of &E0EN HOUR& AN3 THIRT6
5INUTE& bet?een the testi(onies of the p#osecution suppose e%e.?itnesses !n the
3ENR offici!ls' ?hich c!nnot Fust be "losse o/e# !s insi"nific!nt' esp) ?he#e' !s in this
c!se' the efense of the !ccuse is eni!l couple ?ith !libi) Besies' the CRI5INAL
CO5PLAINT is ! /e#% i(po#t!nt ple!in" bec!use' ?ithout it' the#e ?oul h!/e been no
b!sis fo# the P#o/inci!l P#osecution Office to conuct ! p#eli(in!#% in/esti"!tion of this
c!se' the 3ENR bein" the le! !"enc% in connection ?ith /iol!tions of the fo#est#% l!?s)
The BIG iffe#ence !s to the ti(e the !lle"e cuttin" incient h!ppene c!nnot Fust be
t#e!te !s !n honest (ist!De bec!use' !lthou"h 5#) Estop!' ?ho si"ne the CRI5INAL
CO5PLAINT ?!s not p#esent !t the situs criminis, his subo#in!te offici!l PE
4
5!#onio Ni:of#!nco' ?ho p#ep!#e the ple!in"' ?!s the#e) Thus' on i#ect
e8!(in!tion PE Ni:of#!nco ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> Asie f#o( th!t ?h!t othe# ocu(ent %ou p#ep!#eI
A The Lette#.Co(pl!int @#efe##in" to the CRI5INAL CO5PLAINTA)
@T&N' T!#!%' No/) *+' ,4*, he!#in"' p) 7A)
A"!in' in spite of the fo#e"oin" GLARING INCON&I&TENC6 of the testi(onies of
De% p#osecution ?itnesses' not e/en ! feeble !tte(pt ?!s (!e b% the p#osecution to
e8pl!in it u#in" the t#i!l) Re"!#in" the conflict in the testi(onies of iffe#ent ?itnesses
on (!te#i!l et!ils' the &up#e(e Cou#t hel THAT-
Ee h!/e hel th!t ?he#e the testi(onies of t?o De% ?itnesses c!nnot st!n
to"ethe#' the ine/it!ble conclusion is th!t one o# both (ust be tellin" ! lie' !n thei#
sto#% ! (e#e concoction) @People /s) Eilson 3) Li(' et !l) L.*$*1HH' Au"ust 7' ,44,A)
The inconsistencies were never e'plained by the prosecution.
Irreconciliable and une'plained contradictions in the testimonies of the
prosecution witnesses cast doubt on the culpability of the appellant and his
guilt for the crime charged.
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
The e/ient f!lsehoo sp#e! on the #eco#s befo#e Us c#e!tes ! n!""in"
oubt on the culp!bilit% of the !ccuse.!ppell!nt) 8 8 8 ) @People /s) El(e# 5!p!' L.
H*4*$' 5!#ch =*' *HH=A)
As ! #ule' (ino# isc#ep!ncies o# inconsistencies o not isc#eit the
p#osecutionCs c!se !s ! ?hole) Ehe#e the isc#ep!ncies pe#/!e the testi(onies of
p#osecution ?itnesses' such th!t the tot!lit% of the p#osecution e/ience f!ils to
constitute ! cohe#ent !ccount' the con/iction of !n !ccuse c!nnot be Fustifie) The
Cou#t h!s hel th!t ;LtMhe test is ?hethe# the testi(onies !"#ee on the essenti!l
f!cts !n ?hethe# the #especti/e /e#sions co##obo#!te !n subst!nti!ll% coincie
?ith e!ch othe# to (!De ! consistent !n cohe#ent ?hole< @People /) &ibu"' ,,H
&CRA $2H' $H7' J!n) ,$' *HH$K People /) L!nicho' ,+2 &CRA *' =,.==' Jul% ='
*HH1A)
F#o( the testi(onies of the th#ee D!"!?!s' t?o PNP office#s !n 5#) 5!#onio
Ni:of#!nco' it !ppe!#s th!t the s!?n lu(be# @(ol!/e t#eeA ?e#e seiBe on the !% of the
cuttin" incient' th!t is' on 5!#ch ,+' ,4**) An %et' the p#osecutionCs E8h) ;E.*< @the
RECEIPT FOR FORE&T PRO3UCT& &EINE3 UN3ER AUTHORIT6 OF THE 3ENRA is
!te 0#)%")%%. An' !lthou"h f#o( the e/ience of the p#osecution' on 5!#ch ,+'
,4** it ?!s !l#e!% Dno?n th!t !ccuse A:obe# ?!s #esponsible @the ;(!ste#(in<A fo#
the cuttin" of the (ol!/e t#ee' the seiBu#e #eceipt @E8h)<E.*<A' ?!s' inste! issue to
PO* Ge#(ini"ilo &) Abell!' ! PNP Office# of In!b!n"!' Bohol' !s if he ?!s the o?ne# of
the s!i t#ees) Ehich' of cou#se' is ! /iol!tion of the ,444 Rules of C#i(in!l P#oceu#e'
the pe#tinent po#tion of ?hich #e!s-
&EC) **) 5eceipt for the property seized. O The office# seiBin" p#ope#t% une# the
?!##!nt (ust "i/e ! et!ile #eceipt fo# the s!(e to the l!?ful occup!nt of the
p#e(ises in ?hose p#esence the se!#ch !n seiBu#e ?e#e (!e' o# in the !bsence
of such occup!nt' (ust' in the p#esence of !t le!st t?o ?itnesses of sufficient !"e
!n isc#etion #esiin" in the s!(e loc!lit%' le!/e ! #eceipt in the pl!ce in ?hich he
foun the seiBe p#ope#t%) @RULE *,1A)
5
Althou"h the !fo#eGuote p#o/ision t!lDs of ! se!#ch !n seiBu#e ?ith ! ?!##!nt'
!t the /e#% le!st' the s!(e shoul h!/e been !pplie b% !n!lo"% so th!t the seiBu#e
?oul not !ppe!# to be one b% #obbe#s o# thie/es' ?ho !#e the ones ?ho seiBe @t!DeA
p#ope#ties belon"in" to othe#s ?ithout issuin" #eceipts the#efo#) Result!ntl%' the p#inciple
th!t offici!l ut% h!s been #e"ul!#l% pe#fo#(e c!nnot be in/oDe in f!/o# of the PNP
office#s !n the 3ENR offici!l in/ol/e in the seiBu#e of the s!?n (ol!/e t#ee)
c. The three kagawads who are the supposed prosecution
eye)witnesses are political enemies of accused :irilo
*;ober, <r., hence, they had political motive in falsely
e'ecuting a <I9T *==I7*>IT 3&'h. *+ against the said
accused and in thereafter testifying against him.
The Ju(!(o%s of In!b!n"!' Bohol h! lon" est!blishe ! politic!l %n!st% !n
the s!(e still e8ists until the p#esent) Thus' !s sho?n in the #eco#s of the ELECTION
OFFICER' CO5ELEC' In!b!n"!' Bohol' !n the subFect of the testi(on% of !ccuse
Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)' the follo?in" !#e the electe 5unicip!l 5!%o#s of the s!i (unicip!lit%'
/iB)-
5!% *H2H .. . JO&E JU5A5O6
5!% *HH, . . . JO&E JU5A5O6
5!% *HH+ . .. JO&E JU5A5O6
5!% *HH2 . . JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6
5!% ,44* . . JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6
5!% ,44$ . . JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6
5!% ,447 . . JO&E JONO C) JU5A5O6
5!% ,4*4 . . . JO&E JONO C) JU5A5O6
5!% ,4*= . . JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6
@T&N' G!lope' Oct) *$' ,4*= he!#in"' pp) = to $A)
NOTE- &pouses Jose Ju(!(o% !n Josephine &oco##o C) Ju(!(o% !#e the
p!#ents of Jose Jono C) Ju(!(o%)
Befo#e the Oct) ,4*4 elections' Fe#(in! Po"o% ?!s the incu(bent b!#!n"!%
c!pt!in @punon" b!#!n"!%A of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol) &he #!n fo# #e.election u#in"
the Oct) ,4*4 B!#!n"!% Elections) J!") R!(on Po"o%' J!") Bonif!cio A:obe#' !n
J!") G!uencio Betuin ?e#e st#on" suppo#te#s of Fe#(in! Po"o%) &o th!t' befo#e
!ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe# @?ho ?!s then ! follo?e# !n one of the le!e#s of the
Ju(!(o%s of In!b!n"!' BoholA file his ce#tific!te of c!ni!c% fo# the Oct) ,4*4
B!#!n"!% Elections' R!(on Po"o%' ! cousin of Fe#(in! Po"o%' !n ! follo?e# !n
politic!l le!e# of 5!%o# Ju(!(o% in B!#!n"!% Lo(bo%' #eGueste the s!i !ccuse not
to #un fo# b!#!n"!% c!pt!in bec!use Fe#(in! Po"o% is the choice of 5!%o# Ju(!(o%)
Ho?e/e#' the !ccuse i not hee the #eGuest of R!(on Po"o%) B% the ?!%' Fe#(in!
Po"o% is !lso ! siste#.in.l!? of J!") G!uencio Betuin !n ! #el!ti/e of J!") Bonif!cio
A:obe#)
The position of b!#!n"!% c!pt!in of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol ?!s hotl%
conteste u#in" the Oct) ,4*4 B!#!n"!% Elections) In spite of the b!cDin" of 5!%o#
Ju(!(o% of the c!ni!c% of Fe#(in! Po"o% !n' of cou#se' the suppo#t of the th#ee
6
D!"!?!s' the !ccuse ?on in th!t election) Not onl% th!t) Eh!t !e insult to inFu#% to
the th#ee D!"!?!s is th!t Che##i"el A:obe#' ! !u"hte# of sps Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) @the
!ccuseA !n J!%nus Re%es A:obe#' ?on !s &J Ch!i#(!n of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol
o/e# 5! L%n 0ill!(o# ?ith ! sli( (!#"in of *2 /otes) 5! L%n ?!s the one suppo#te b%
the "#oup of Fe#(in! Po"o% to ?hich J!"s) Po"o%' A:obe#' !n Betuin liDe?ise belon")
Altho J!") R!(on Po"o% is #!nDe !s the No) 1 J!"!?! of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!'
Bohol @this ?!s !fte# the Oct) ,4*4 B!#!n"!% ElectionsA' he ?!s the one c!lle b% the
5!%o# to #ep#esent the b!#!n"!% of Lo(bo% on (!tte#s !ffectin" the b!#!n"!%) &o th!t'
f#o( the ti(e !ccuse A:obe# !ssu(e office !s b!#!n"!% c!pt!in up to the ti(e his
te#( e8pi#e' the#e ?!s no occ!sion th!t he ?!s e/e# c!lle b% the 5!%o# to #ep#esent
his b!#!n"!%)
In his !tte(pt to hie the f!ct th!t the i#t% h!ns of politics ?e#e behin the
filin" of this c!se ?ith the P#o/inci!l P#osecution Office ?hich' unfo#tun!tel%' foun !
p#ob!ble c!use incluin" !ccuse A:obe#' on c#oss.e8!(in!tion' PE R!(on Po"o%
ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> Is it not th!t u#in" the Octobe# ,4*4 B!#!n"!% Elections %ou #!n !s B!#!n"!% J!"!?! in the s!(e
line up of Fe#(in! Po"o%I
A No si# bec!use B!#!n"!% Elections is non.p!#tis!n)
@T&N' T!#!%' ct. %", !0%! he!#in"' p) $A)
In li"ht of the ?#ite.up of colu(nist R!n% 3!/i !n the b!nne# he!line sto#% of
the Bohol Ch#onicle "i/en p#o(inence in the PREFATOR6 &TATE5ENT& he#eof' the
!ns?e# of PE Po"o% is not onl% ! ;FoDe<) It is (o#e of !n insult to the intelli"ence of the
Hono#!ble Cou#t) It is liDe?ise ! p#oof of so(e co!chin"' he h!/in" testifie more than
a month !fte# the p#osecutionCs fi#st ?itness Bonif!cio A:obe# ?ho testifie on
?eptember %4, !0%! !n' on c#oss.e8!(in!tion' tol the t#uth ?hen he ecl!#e !s
follo?s-
> 6ou Dno? Fe#(in! Po"o%I
A 6es' si#)
> &he ?!s the #eelectionist c!ni!te fo# the position of B!#!n"!% c!pt!in of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol
u#in" the Octobe# ,4*4 election' co##ectI
A 6es' si#)
> @ou together with your co)affiants 3of &'h. *+ 6ogoy and Betuin were in the same line)up of
=ermina 6ogoy, is this correctA
A @es, sir)
@T&N' P#ie"o' &ept) *=' ,4*, he!#in"' p) *4A
B,*T T,& *::C?&7 7I7 T .*@5 <C.*.@ 3then Board .ember+ B,I:,
:*C?&7 &.B*55*??.&9T T ,&5 *97 :*C?&7 *98&5 *8*I9?T *::C?&7
:I5I- *DB&5,<5. 7C5I98 T,& :TB&5, !0%0 B*5*98*@ &-&:TI9?.
The follo?in" is ! su((!#% of the testi(on% of the !ccuse on i#ect
e8!(in!tion pe#tinent to the fo#e"oin" issue-
7
Th!t on election !% u#in" the Octobe#' ,4*4 B!#!n"!% Elections' 5!%o#
Ju(!(o% @then Bo!# 5e(be#A' !cco(p!nie ?ith (unicip!l councilo#s' police office#s
!n bo%"u!#s' ?!s the#e in Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol) &he c!lle the /ote#s !n
!/ise the( to !pp#o!ch he# bec!use she ?!s then "i/in" the( (one%) &he liDe?ise
!sDe the e(plo%e#s to !/ise thei# e(plo%ees to /ote fo# the c!ni!tes suppo#te b%
he#) @B% the ?!%' !(on" he# co(p!nions' ! police office#' ?!s E?in 5elico#' the
s!(e &PO* E?in 5elico#' the $
th
?itness fo# the p#osecution' ?ho' on i#ect
e8!(in!tion ecl!#e th!t he Foine the PNP since *HH2 ?ith !ssi"n(ent !t the PNP
&t!tion' In!b!n"!' Bohol LT&N' T!#!%' 3ec) 41' ,4*, he!#in"' p) $M !n ?ho' on c#oss.
e8!(in!tion' !(itte th!t since *HH2 to the ti(e he testifie' he ?!s NE0ER
t#!nsfe##e !t the inst!nce of the Ju(!(o%s' bec!use' !s !(itte b% hi(' ;his
#el!tionship ?ith the Ju(!(o%s is ! "oo one)< LIbi)' p) *,M) This' in spite of the
!utho#it% of the (!%o#s of ope#!tion!l cont#ol !n supe#/ision) Ehich onl% (e!nt th!t
&PO* 5elico# is one of the PNP office#s of the PNP &t!tion' In!b!n"!' Bohol' ?ho se#/e
the ;public< !cco#in" to the ?hi(s !n c!p#ices of the Ju(!(o%sA)
Befo#e the Octobe#' ,4*4 B!#!n"!% Elections' the !ccuse !ttene !
confe#ence c!lle b% then Con") C!Fes' ?ho' u#in" th!t ti(e' ?!s ! politic!l !ll% of Go/)
Ch!tto) Con") C!Fes !/ise the p!#ticip!nts u#in" the confe#ence to c!ll the (ilit!#%
fo# !ssist!nce in c!se the#e ?oul be /ote.bu%in" !cti/ities co((itte u#in" the
elections) An so' upon Dno?in" of the !cti/ities of 5!%o# Ju(!(o% the#e !t Lo(bo%'
In!b!n"!' Bohol on election !%' the !ccuse c!lle !n #epo#te the incient to Go/)
Ch!tto) The !ccuse fu#the# ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> In effect' ?e#e the#e pe#sonnel f#o( the (ilit!#% ?ho !ns?e#e %ou# c!llI
A I c!lle up the office of Go/) Ch!tto !n in tu#n it ?!s his office ?ho c!lle up the (ilit!#% !n the
(ilit!#% l!te# !##i/e in ou# pl!ce)
> Ho? (!n% ?e#e the%I
A Not less th!n ten bec!use the% ?e#e on bo!# t?o /!ns)
> An ?h!t h!ppene to the "#oup of no? (!%o# Josephine &oco##o Ju(!(o% !t the ti(e the (ilit!#%
on bo!# t?o /!ns !##i/eI
A Cpon arrival of the military on board two vans they alighted from the vans and we approached
them and the military directed the group of Board .ember <umamoy to leave the areas
otherwise a war would ensue. @Bol' it!lic' supplieA)
> Eh% is it th!t %ou Dne? ?h!t the (ilit!#% i upon !##i/!lI
A I Dno? bec!use I ?!s the#e ?hen the (ilit!#% !##i/e)
@T&N' G!lope' Oct) *$' ,4*= he!#in"' pp) 7 to HA)
WHAT MAYOR JOSEPHINE SOCORRO C. JUMAMOY DID BY WAY OF
RETALIATION OR REVENGE AGAINST ACCUSED CIRILO AOBER, JR. FOR
WHAT HE DID DURING THE OCTOBER, 2010 BARANGAY ELECTIONS.
5!%o# @then Bo!# 5e(be#A JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6 coul not
hie he# unusu!l inte#est !"!inst the !ccuse) 3u#in" the p#eli(in!#% confe#ence
@P#eConA conucte b% the Cle#D of Cou#t in the !fte#noon of 5!% *7' ,4*,' !ll the th#ee
D!"!?!s ?e#e p#esent in cou#t) In co(in" to the cou#t' the% #oe in the "o/e#n(ent
c!# @se#/ice /ehicleA !ssi"ne to then Bo!# 5e(be# Josephine &oco##o C) Ju(!(o%
?hich ?!s #i/en b% one Gio/!ne Estoce' the p#i/!te #i/e# of the Ju(!(o%s) Bec!use
8
the !##i/!l of the c!# ?ithin the p#e(ises of the cou#t ?!s notice b% the !ccuse' the
l!tte# in/ite the !ttention of his une#si"ne counsel !n both of the( ?ent to the c!#
?he#e it stoppe #i"ht !fte# the th#ee D!"!?!s !li"hte f#o( the c!#) The !ccuse
fu#the# ecl!#e th!t-
> An ?h!t i %ou# l!?%e# oI
A 5% l!?%e# conf#onte the #i/e# !sDin" ;?h% !#e %ou he#e< !n he @#i/e#A #eplie ;I ?!s co((!ne
b% 5!C!( Ro%"ie @#efe##in" to 5!%o# Josephine &oco##o C) Ju(!(o%A to con/e% these th#ee D!"!?!s
he#e in cou#t< !n (% l!?%e# scole the()
The !ccuse then tooD th#ee pictu#es' !ll of ?hich he ientifie on i#ect e8!(in!tion'
sho?in"' fi#st' the sie /ie? @#i"ht sieA of the c!# @(!#De !n offe#e in e/ience !s
E8h) ;,4<A' secon' the b!cD /ie? of the c!# sho?in" its pl!te No) &JC $+, @(!#De !n
offe#e in e/ience !s ;,4. A<A' !n thi#' Gio/!ne Estoce' the #i/e# of the c!# @(!#De
!n offe#e in e/ience !s E8h) ;,4.B<A) Ho?e/e#' e/ientl% !?!#e th!t thei# speci!l
t#e!t(ent b% the then Bo!# 5e(be# ?!s notice b% the !ccuse !n his une#si"ne
counsel' !fte# the P#eCon' the th#ee D!"!?!s no lon"e# #oe in the c!# of the then
Bo!# 5e(be#) Inste!' the% #oe in the c!# of Att%) Jonel To##e"os!' counsel fo#
!ccuse O#l!no 5!c!sin!")
@T&N' G!lope' Oct) *$' ,4*= he!#in"' pp) *4 to *,A)
WHAT MAYOR JUMAMOY DID DURING THE NOV. 2013 BARANGAY ELECTIONS
AGAINST THE ACCUSED.
Fo# the position of B!#!n"!% c!pt!in of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol u#in" the
No/e(be#' ,4*= B!#!n"!% Elections' 5!%o# JO&EPHINE &OCORRO C) JU5A5O6
!cti/el% c!(p!i"ne fo# Leoni! To##ef!l(!' then No) * b"%) J!"!?! of Lo(bo%'
In!b!n"!' Bohol u#in" the incu(benc% of the !ccuse !s B!#!n"!% c!pt!in' ?ho #!n
fo# #e.election !s B!#!n"!% c!pt!in @Punon" B!#!n"!%A of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol)
The pe#tinent of the testi(on% of the !ccuse on i#ect e8!(in!tion' #e!s-
> No?' !s bet?een %ou !n To#ef!l(!' ?ho ?!s suppo#te b% the (unicip!l (!%o# of In!b!n"!'
Bohol' if !n%I
A To#ef!l(!)
> An ?h% o %ou Dno? !bout itI
A It ?!s the 5!%o# he#self ?ho !nnounce it u#in" the c!(p!i"n pe#io in ou# pl!ce)
Eith the (one% !n politic!l clout of the 5!%o#' the !ccuse' ?ho coul h!#l%
p!% the pe# !ppe!#!nce fee of his une#si"ne counsel' i not e/en h!/e ! fi"htin"
ch!nce of ?innin" in th!t election) Of cou#se' he lost) But' onl% b% ! sli( (!#"in of $=
/otes) @T&N' T!#!%' Feb) *4' ,4*$ he!#in"' pp) = to $A) Fo# !ll intents !n pu#poses' fo#
!s lon" !s the JU5A5O6 36NA&T6 in In!b!n"!' Bohol e8ists' the !ccuse is !l#e!%
politic!ll% e!)
The !ccuse is not the onl% b!#!n"!% c!pt!in of In!b!n"!' Bohol ?ho !#e
ientifie ?ith the opposition ?ho suffe#e the s!(e f!te !s the s!i !ccuse) Thus' on
i#ect e8!(in!tion' the !ccuse ecl!#e th!t the#e !#e se/en of the( ?ho !#e ientifie
?ith the opposition' !s follo?s- A"!pit! To#ente#! of B"%) C!(bitu!n' Feli8 C!#!% of B"%)
Anun!n' C!pt) P!blin" of L!p!c!n &u#' Jo% Ap!#ece of B"%) &to) Ni:o' Escol!stico
9
&oco#in of B"%) &!n Jose !n E8u# 6u of B"%) &!) On fu#the# i#ect e8!(in!tion' the
!ccuse ecl!#e th!t-
> Of the si8 b!#!n"!% c!pt!ins ?ho( %ou h!/e (entione' ple!se point out to this Hono#!ble Cou#t
?ho !(on" the( !lso h!/e c!ses' if %ou Dno?I
A B"%) C!pt!in Escol!stico &oco#in of B!#!n"!% &!n Jose)
> If %ou Dno?' ?h!t c!se in/ol/e this b!#!n"!% c!pt!inI
A He ?!s c!(p!i"n (!n"e# befo#e !n his house ?!s #!ie !n !lle"el% se/e#!l fi#e!#(s ?e#e
#eco/e#e)
(TSN, Galope, Oct. 14, 2013 hearing, p. 9).
d. >is)E)vis the evidence of the accused, the evidence of
the prosecution is incredible.
Lon" befo#e the !lle"e 5!#ch ,+' ,4** incient' !s then b!#!n"!% c!pt!in of
Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol' !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)' !s p#esiin" office# of the
s!n""uni!n" b!#!n"!% @&BA !n of the b!#!n"!% !sse(bl% of the s!i b!#!n"!%' (!e
Dno?n to his constituents th!t- @*A onl% (!ho"!n% !n "e(elin! t#ees coul be cut' @,A
cuttin" pe#(it to be issue b% the 3ENR fo# the cuttin" of s!i t#ees is #eGui#e' e8cept
onl% if the% !#e h!B!# t#ees' @=A molave !n ;tipo< t#ees c!nnot be cut @Note- The
cuttin" of (ol!/e t#ees is' !(on" othe#s' p#ohibite une# &ec) * of ACT No) =+7,
Dno?n !s AN ACT TO PROHIBIT THE CUTTING OF TIN3ALO' AJLE OR 5OLA0E
TREE&' UN3ER CERTAIN CON3ITION&' AN3 TO PENALINE 0IOLATION&
THEREOFA' @$A bein" consie#e !s belon"in" to the opposition' his 5!%o#Cs Pe#(it
h! not been #ele!se' @+A he c!nnot cut t#ees !n%?he#e ?ithin In!b!n"!' Bohol' @1A
!n%one /iol!tin" the l!?s !n #e"ul!tions #el!tin" to the cuttin" of t#ees c!n be !##este
b% !n%one' !n @7A othe# #ele/!nt (!tte#s) The fo#e"oin" is e/ience b% the follo?in"
ocu(ent!#% e8hibits-
*) E8h) ;*$< ?ith sub.(!#Din"s E8hs) ;*$.A< to *$.C< !n its co##esponin" t#!nsl!tion O
5inutes of the Fi#st Re"ul!# &ession of the &B on 3ec) *+' ,4*4K
,) E8h) ;*+< ?ith sub.(!#Din" E8h) ;*+.A< !n its co##esponin" t#!nsl!tion O 5inutes of
the &ession of the &B on J!n) +' ,4**K
=) E8h) ;*1< ?ith sub.(!#Din" E8h) ;*1.A< !n its co##esponin" t#!nsl!tion O 5inutes of
the &ession of the &B on Feb) $' ,4**K
$) E8h) ;*7< ?ith sub.(!#Din" E8h) ;*7.A< !n its co##esponin" t#!nsl!tion O 5inutes
of the FIR&T BARANGA6 A&&E5BL6 5EETING on 3ec) *H' ,4*4)
It be!#s e(ph!sis' th!t' !lthou"h in p!#) = of the JOINT AFFI3A0IT of &P4*
E?in T) 5elico# !n P4, C!si(e#o 0) &u!#eB' J#) @(!#De !n offe#e in e/ience !s
E8h) ;C<A' the% !lle"e th!t the !ccuse !n his co(p!nions cut the (ol!/e t#ee ;in the
p#esence of (!n% people !#oun<' onl% J!") R!(on 5) Po"o%' J!") Bonif!cio B)
A:obe# !n J!") G!uencio H) Betuin' the politic!l ene(ies of the !ccuse' e8ecute !
JOINT AFFI3A0IT @(!#De !n offe#e in e/ience !s E8h) ;A<A !"!inst the !ccuse
!n his !lle"e co(p!nions !n the#e!fte# testifie !"!inst the s!i !ccuse) Not e/en
! sin"le ci/ili!n' th!t is' belon"in" to the !lle"e ;(!n% people !#oun< e8ecute !n9o#
testifie !"!inst the !ccuse)
10
To be e(ph!siBe' is th!t Bonif!cio A:obe# !(itte th!t he !n his co.!ffi!nts
@of E8h) ;A<A ?e#e p#esent u#in" the &B sessions e/ience b% the !fo#e(entione
E8hs) ;*$<' ;*+< !n ;*1< ?ith thei# co##esponin" sub.(!#Din"s !n t#!nsl!tions) He
liDe?ise !(itte th!t' u#in" the !lle"e incient ;the#e ?e#e se/e#!l pe#sons< !#oun)
Thus' on c#oss.e8!(in!tion on &ept) *=' ,4*,' the s!i p#osecution ?itness @PEA
ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> No?' %ou st!te in %ou# !ffi!/it th!t !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe# Dne? fo# ! f!ct th!t cuttin" of 5ol!/e t#ee
is p#ohibite b% l!? bec!use in f!ct in @!A b!#!n"!% session he iscusse the p#ohibition to cut 5ol!/e
t#ee' is this co##ectI
A 6es' &i#)
> In f!ct' lon" befo#e 5!#ch ,+' ,4** !ccuse A:obe# !s p#esiin" office# of the &!n""uni!n"
B!#!n"!% of Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol liDe?ise iscusse t#ees ?hich c!n be cut ?ith pe#(it' is this
co##ectI
A 6es' &i#)
> An he liDe?ise iscusse @theA #eGui#e(ent@sA fo# the issu!nce of the cuttin" pe#(it' is this co##ectI
A 6es' &i#)
Note- The#e!fte#' in the cou#se of his c#oss.e8!(in!tion b% the une#si"ne
counsel fo# the !ccuse' PE Bonif!cio A:obe# ientifie his si"n!tu#es on the
!tten!nce sheets ?hich !#e p!#ts of E8hs) ;*$<' ;*+< !n ;*1<) He liDe?ise !(itte not
onl% the p#esence of his co.!ffi!nts J!") R!(on 5) Po"o% !n J!") G!uencio H)
Betuin u#in" the sessions e/ience b% the !fo#e(entione e8hibits' but !lso ientifie
the co##esponin" si"n!tu#es of his co.D!"!?!s on the !tten!nce sheets ?hich !#e
p!#ts of E8hs) ;*$<' ;*+< !n ;*1<) He fu#the# ecl!#e th!t-
> No?' o I une#st!n f#o( %ou co##ectl% th!t besies %ou !n %ou# co.!ffi!nts !t the ti(e of the
incient on 5!#ch ,+' ,4** !t 2-44 oCclocD in the (o#nin" the#e ?e#e (!n% pe#sons p#esentI
A 6es' &i#)
@T&N' P#ie"o' He!#in"' &ept) *=' ,4*,' pp) = to 1A)
It is si"nific!nt to note th!t no?he#e is the#e in the e/ience fo# the p#osecution
th!t on o# !bout 5!#ch ,+' ,4** the !ccuse ?!s in u#"ent nee of (one%) LiDe fo# the
hospit!l nees of ! close #el!ti/e !n the liDe) Be th!t !s it (!%' the !ccuse hi(self
ecl!#e th!t on o# !bout 5!#ch ,+' ,4**' he ?!s not in u#"ent nee of (one%)
Let us the#efo#e consie# the follo?in"- @*A the !ccuse /e#% ?ell Dne? th!t the
cuttin" of ! (ol!/e t#ee is p#ohibite b% l!?' !n @,A b% iscussin" u#in" the b!#!n"!%
sessions !n u#in" the b!#!n"!% !sse(bl% (eetin" the (ech!nics #e"!#in" the
cuttin" of t#ees' the !ccuse' in effect' intene to euc!te his constituents on the ;oCs<
!n ;onCtCs< in the cuttin" of t#ees) Gi/en the fo#e"oin"' esp) th!t he ?!s not in u#"ent
nee of (one%' ?h% i the !ccuse !lle"el% cut o# c!use the cuttin" of ! (ol!/e t#ee
in broad daylight and in the presence of many people aroundA P#!ctic!ll%' he ?!s
co((ittin" ;suicie<' politic!l o# othe#?ise) But' bein" p#esu(e to be s!ne' he (ust
h!/e co((itte the c#i(e ?ith ! (oti/e) But' ?h!t ?!s his (oti/eI An' !lthou"h the
th#ee D!"!?!s' lon" befo#e the !lle"e incient on 5!#ch ,+' ,4** !l#e!% Dne? th!t
the% h! the !utho#it% to effect ! ?!##!ntless !##est of ! pe#son co((ittin" ! c#i(e in
thei# p#esence' not even an attempt to arrest the accused and his alleged two
companions ?!s made by the three kagawads while the cutting and sawing of the
11
molave tree into lumber were done in their presence. C!##%in" the FoDe too f!#'
p#osecutionCs e/ience is !lso to the effect th!t' !fte# the s!?in" of the (ol!/e t#ee into
lu(be#' the s!(e ?e#e lo!e @!ccuse A:obe# helpin" in the lo!in"A on the (ulti.c!b
o?ne !n #i/en b% the s!i !n b#ou"ht the( to ! pl!ce !lon" the #o! ne!# the
house of the !ccuse) Ehe#e the% coul be e!sil% seen b% !n%one bec!use the% ?e#e
onl% co/e#e b% #% coconut le!/es) Thus' on c#oss.e8!(in!tion' PE &PO* E?in
5elico#' ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> But !cco#in" to %ou this s!?n lu(be# ?e#e pl!ce Fust ne!# the #o!' ?h!t I (e!n 5#) Eitness is'
!n% one coul e!sil% see the s!?n (ol!/e t#eeI
A 6es' e/e#%one c!n e!sil% see bec!use the s!?n (ol!/e lu(be# ?e#e onl% co/e#e ?ith #ie coconut
le!/es !n po#tion of it c!n e!sil% be seen)
@T&N' T!#!%' 3ec) 41' ,4*, he!#in"' p) *$A)
No?' ?e "o to the thi# p#osecution 5!#onio Ni:of#!nco of the 3ENR' T!libon'
Bohol) Not bein" p#esent !t the ti(e of the !lle"e cuttin" of the subFect (ol!/e t#ee' he
!tte(pte to st#en"then his testi(on% b% cl!i(in" th!t' !fte# !##i/in" !t the cuttin" scene
to"ethe# ?ith PNP office#s of the PNP &t!tion' In!b!n"!' Bohol !n ! photo"#!phe#' he
conucte !n in/esti"!tion !n he !sDe the ne!#est #esient of the cuttin" scene 5#)
An#es Pue#in) Pe#tinentl%' Ni:of#!nco ecl!#e on i#ect e8!(in!tion th!t-
> &o ?h!t ?!s the #esult of %ou# in/esti"!tion ?ith one An#es Pue#inI
A I !sDe hi( ?ho (!e the cuttin" !n he !ns?e#e th!t thei# o?n B!#!n"!% C!pt!in
Ci#ilo A:obe# to"ethe# ?ith L!no 5!c!sin!" !n Jo!Guin C!l!c!# ?ho (!e the cuttin"
of the (ol!/e t#ee)
@T&N' T!#!%' No/) *+' ,4*, he!#in"' pp) $ to +A)
The fo#e"oin" testi(on% of Ni:of#!nco is not onl% UNCORROBORATE3) It is
3ENIE3 b% no less th!n An#es Pue#in' ?ho testifie !s the fi#st ?itness fo# the !ccuse
Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) on *ugust !!, !0%4. Thus' on i#ect e8!(in!tion' An#es Pue#in
ecl!#e th!t he Dno?s the !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) @ientifie in cou#tA' but he does
not know rlando .acasinag and <oaFuin :alacar. Th!t' !lthou"h his house is onl%
!#oun ,4 f!tho(s !?!% f#o( the subFect (ol!/e t#ee' f#o( his house' he coul not see
the t#ee' not onl% bec!use of the (!n% bushes but !lso bec!use of his f!ilin" e%esi"ht'
the f!ct th!t he ?!s !l#e!% 2+ %e!#s of !"e !t the ti(e he testifie in cou#t) Hence' !t
the ti(e of the incient' An#es Pue#in ?!s !l#e!% 2= %e!#s of !"e) @A fe? (onths
!fte# An#es Pue#in testifie' he ieA)
An#es Pue#in fu#the# ecl!#e th!t' !t !#oun 7-44 to 2-44 oCclocD in the
(o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+' ,4**' ?hile he ?!s l%in" insie his house bec!use of the p!in in
his le"' he he!# ! soun of ! ch!in s!? ?hich stoppe !t !bout **-44 oCclocD th!t
(o#nin") He then ?ent to the stu(p of the (ol!/e t#ee ?hich ?!s cut to !sD fo#
b#!nches the#eof' but' no one ?!s the#e !n the#e ?e#e no pieces of lu(be# o# b#!nches
!t the pl!ce)
He !(itte th!t' !t !bout =-44 oCclocD in the !fte#noon of 5!#ch ,+' ,4**
so(eone !sDe hi( IN&I3E HI& HOU&E ?ho cut the t#ee) An' he answered that the
tree was owned by the father of Barangay :aptain :irilo *;ober, <r., but he did
not know who cut the tree because it could not be seen from his house.
12
On c#oss.e8!(in!tion' An#es Pue#in' inste! of co##obo#!tin" the testi(on% of
Ni:of#!nco' 3ENIE3 !ll the (!te#i!l !lle"!tions of the s!i p#osecution ?itness) An'
upon Guestionin" b% the Hon) Cou#t' An#es Pue#in !ns?e#e th!t he is not ! #el!ti/e of
!ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)' but he is ! ;co(p!#e< of the f!the# of the s!i !ccuse)
On c#oss.e8!(in!tion' 5!#onio Ni:of#!nco fu#the# ecl!#e th!t' on Ap#il *2'
,4**' he conucte !n !(inist#!ti/e in/esti"!tion of the 5!#ch ,+' ,4** incient in the
p#esence of !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) @This is confi#(e b% the !ccuse' hi(self' on
i#ect e8!(in!tionA) On fu#the# c#oss.e8!(in!tion' Ni:of#!nco ecl!#e !s follo?s-
> No?' i %ou not sub(it ! ?#itten #epo#t of %ou# !(inist#!ti/e in/esti"!tion to %ou#
OIC CENRO' 5#) Estop!I
A 6es' I sub(itte)
> An it ?!s !fte# %ou sub(itte th!t #epo#t th!t these t?o @,A ocu(ents @#efe##in" to
E8hs) ;$< !n ;+<A ?e#e issue to Ci#ilo A:obe#' is this co##ectI
A 6es si#)
> An 5#) Eitness %ou #eco((ene to 5#) Estop! the #ene?!l of the ce#tific!te of
#e"ist#!tion no? (!#De E8h) $ !n the pe#(it to ope#!te no? @(!#DeA E8h) +' is this
co##ectI
A 6es si#)
@T&N' T!#!%' No/) *+' ,4*,' pp) *$ to *+A)
B% the ?!%' E8h) ;$< is ! CERTIFICATE OF REGI&TRATION issue on Octobe#
=' ,4** to !ccuse CIRILO A7OBER ;to possess' o?n o# use ! Ch!ins!? 8 8 8 ; !n to
e8pi#e on Octobe# =' ,4*= si"ne b% ALEJAN3RO A) E&TOPA' Co((unit%
En/i#on(ent !n N!tu#!l Resou#ces Office#' 3ENR' T!libon' Bohol) Ehile E8h) ;+< is !
PER5IT TO OPERATE ch!ins!? issue to the s!(e !ccuse !n si"ne b% the s!(e
3ENR offici!l ?ith the s!(e !te of issue !n e8pi#% !te !s th!t of E8h) ;$<) It (ust be
pointe out th!t' on c#oss.e8!(in!tion' Ni:of#!nco ientifie E8hs) ;$< !n ;+< !n
!(itte the "enuineness of both ocu(ents !s ?ell !s the si"n!tu#es the#eon of 5#)
Estop!) @Ibi)' pp) *= to *$A)
F#o( E8hs) ;$< !n ;+<' ! lo"ic!l infe#ence coul be #!?n th!t' !fte# 5#)
Ni:of#!nco conucte his o?n !(inist#!ti/e in/esti"!tion of the 5!#ch ,+' ,4**
incient' he ?!s con/ince of the INNOCEN&E of !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)' othe#?ise'
he shoul not h!/e #eco((ene to 5#) Estop! the #ene?!l of the CERTIFICATE OF
REGI&TRATION of the ch!ins!? !n the PER5IT TO OPERATE th!t ch!ins!? in f!/o#
of the s!i !ccuse)
If the e/ience of the p#osecution' /is.P./is the e/ience of the !ccuse is not
inc#eible' the une#si"ne counsel fo# the !ccuse !(its th!t he oes not une#st!n
?h!t is ;inc#eible<)
e. *ccused2s denial corroborated by his
witnesses is positive evidence.
13
AccuseCs efense of eni!l c!nnot Fust be b#ushe !sie !s inconseGuenti!l on
the (ist!Den belief th!t it is ?e!D) Bec!use' ?he#e' !s in this c!se' the !ccuse is
f#!(e.up !n9o# the /icti( of ! concocte sto#% of ! politici!n ?ho is hell.bent in
pe#petu!tin" the e8istence of thei# %n!st%' the#e is no othe# e/ience ?hich the
!ccuse coul #!ise' e8cept eni!l' oftenti(es couple ?ith !libi) Othe#?ise' if th!t be
the !ttitue of t#i!l Fu"es' then e/en the T#i!l P#osecuto# hi(self' the Hono#!ble
P#esiin" Ju"e' the &ec#et!#% of Justice' the Chief Justice of the &up#e(e Cou#t' o#
the Pope' fo# th!t (!tte#' c!nnot esc!pe ! finin" of "uilt fo# 0IOLATION OF &ECTION
12 OF P3 74+ A& A5EN3E3 B6 RA 7*1* bec!use if the !ccuse i not #e!ll%
co((it the !cts !lle"e in the info#(!tion' suppo#te b% the testi(onies of the
p#osecution ?itnesses' the#e is no othe# efense th!t he coul #!ise e8cept eni!l' in
this c!se' couple ?ith !libi)
Acco#in" to te8t ?#ite#s' e/ience is positi/e ?hen the ?itness AFFIR5& th!t
the f!ct i o# 3I3 NOT occu#) On the othe# h!n' e/ience is ne"!ti/e ?hen the
?itness st!tes th!t he i not see o# Dno? the occu##ence of ! f!ct) Thus' in ! c!se' the
&up#e(e Cou#t hel th!t-
But not !ll 3ENIAL& !n !libis shoul be #e"!#e !s f!b#ic!te) Inee' if
the !ccuse is t#ul% innocent' he c!n h!/e no othe# efense but 3ENIAL !n !libi) &o
ho? c!n such !ccuse penet#!te ! (in th!t h!s been (!e c%nic!l b% the #ule #ille
into his he! th!t ! efense of !libi is ! h!n"(!nCs noose in the f!ce of ! ?itness
positi/el% s?e!#in"' ;I s!? hi( o it)<I 5ost Fu"es belie/e th!t such !sse#tion
!uto(!tic!ll% oo(s !n !libi @3ENIALA ?hich is e!s% to f!b#ic!te) This GuicD
ste#eot%pe thinDin"' ho?e/e#' is ist#essin") Fo# ho? else c!n the t#uth th!t the
!ccuse is #e!ll% innocent h!/e !n% ch!nce of p#e/!ilin" o/e# such ! stone.c!st tenetI
There is only one way. * Gudge must keep an open mind. He (ust "u!#
!"!inst slippin" into h!st% conclusion' often !#isin" f#o( ! esi#e to GuicDl% finish the
Fob of eciin" ! c!se) * positive declaration from a witness that he saw the
accused commit the crime should not automatically cancel out the accused2s
claim that he did not do it. * lying witness can make as positive an
identification as a truthful witness can. The lying witness can also say as
forthrightly and uneFuivocally, ,e did itH without blinking an eye. @People /s)
Eebb' et !l)' G) R) No) *7121$' 3ec) *$' ,4*4' bol' it!lic' supplieA)
F#o( the c#oss.e8!(in!tions of the !ccuse !n his ?itness Ren!to Betuin' it
see(s th!t the ONL6 issue b#ou"ht up to i(pe!ch the c#eibilit% of the !ccuse is his
f!ilu#e to file the co##esponin" c#i(in!l c!se !"!inst !ccuse O#l!no 5!c!sin!"
!lthou"h the s!i !ccuse @Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)A Dne? th!t 5!c!sin!" ?!s the one ?ho cut
the (ol!/e t#ee ?hich ?!s then "#o?in" on ! p!#cel of l!n belon"in" to the (othe# of
the s!i !ccuse) In othe# ?o#s' it is pointe out in the c#oss.e8!(in!tion th!t'
!lthou"h !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) is ! co.o?ne# of th!t t#ee !n' consie#in" his
position !s b!#!n"!% c!pt!in' he i not see to it th!t ! c#i(in!l c!se be file !"!inst
5!c!sin!")
A"!inst the fo#e"oin" !tte(pt of the p#osecution to i(pe!ch the c#eibilit% of the
!ccuse' it is pointe out th!t he c!(e to Dno? th!t the l!n on ?hich the subFect
(ol!/e t#ee ?!s then "#o?in" ?!s o?ne b% thei# (othe# ONL6 !t the ti(e he ?!s
p#ep!#in" fo# his efense' i) e)' ! c#i(in!l co(pl!int h! !l#e!% been file !"!inst hi(
!n his co.!ccuse @O#l!no 5!c!sin!"' inclueA ?ith the P#o/inci!l P#osecution
14
Office fo# p#eli(in!#% in/esti"!tion) &o' ?e !sD O ?!s the#e still ! nee fo# the !ccuse
Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#) to file ANOTHER c!se !"!inst O#l!no 5!c!sin!" fo# the s!(e !ct
@!#isin" f#o( the s!(e incientA "i/en the settle #ule on ouble Feop!#%I Anothe#
thin") Coul the P#o/inci!l P#osecution Office h!/e foun ! p#ob!ble c!use !"!inst
O#l!no 5!c!sin!" on ! co(pl!int file (e#el% b% the !ccuse Ci#ilo A:obe#' J#)' th!t is'
?ithout the suppo#t of 5!%o# Ju(!(o%' the PNP of In!b!n"!' Bohol !n the 3ENR of
T!libon' BoholI
DISPOSITIVE CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
F#o( the e/ience of the p#osecution' the th#ee !ccuse coul h!/e co((itte
the c#i(e eithe# !t 2-44 oCclocD in the (o#nin" @the /e#sion of the th#ee D!"!?!sA o# !t
=-=4 oCclocD in the !fte#noon @the /e#sion of the 3ENR offici!lsA of the s!(e !%' 5!#ch
,+' ,4**' epenin" upon ?hose /e#sion is the t#ue /e#sion ?hen the (ol!/e t#ee ?!s
cut) But' the !libi of the !ccuse is !i#ti"ht' the s!(e bein" suppo#te b% c#eible
?itnesses) At 2-44 oCclocD in the (o#nin" of 5!#ch ,+' ,4** he !n his co(p!nions
?e#e !l#e!% the#e !t Ro?en! Be!ch' =4 D(s) !?!% f#o( Lo(bo%' In!b!n"!' Bohol'
p!#ticip!tin" in the bi#th!% celeb#!tion of his "o son John RenB A) Betuin) At =-=4 in
the !fte#noon of the s!(e !%' he ?!s still the#e !t the Ro?en! Be!ch h!/in" left the
pl!ce to "o ho(e onl% !t $-44 oCclocD in the !fte#noon of the s!(e !%) An' f#o( 2-44
oCclocD in the (o#nin" to $-44 oCclocD in the !fte#noon of 5!#ch ,+' ,4** the#e NE0ER
?!s ! ti(e th!t the !ccuse e/e# left Ro?en! Be!ch to "o so(e?he#e)
Anothe# thin") As pointe out e!#lie#' e/en if the efense of the !ccuse be
is#e"!#e' the e/ience of the p#osecution c!nnot be the b!sis fo# ! finin" of "uilt
!"!inst the !ccuse b% p#oof be%on #e!son!ble oubt' the s!(e bein" INCRE3IBLE)
The#e bein" no e/ience sufficient to suppo#t ! finin" of "uilt !"!inst the !ccuse
CIRILO A7OBER' JR) fo# the c#i(e ?ith ?hich he is ch!#"e' n!%' not e/en ! sin"le th#e! of
co(petent !n (!te#i!l e/ience !ncho#e on t!"# $"%#, !n' consie#in" the ictu( th!t it
is bette# to !cGuit ten "uilt% pe#sons th!n to con/ict one innocent pe#son' the !ccuse' b% his
une#si"ne counsel' (ost #espectfull% p#!%s fo# ! JU3G5ENT OF AC>UITTAL' b!se on the
follo?in" settle Fu#isp#uence-
0e#il%' the constitution!l p#esu(ption of innocence #eGui#es cou#ts to t!De ;!
(o#e th!n c!su!l consie#!tion< of e/e#% ci#cu(st!nce o# oubt f!/o#in" the
innocence of the !ccuse) In the s!(e /ein' cou#ts h!/e the i(pe#!ti/e ut% to ;put
p#osecution e/ience une# se/e#e testin"<) @People /) C!#tu!no' ,++ &CRA $4='
$,=A)
In the p#esent c!se' the tot!lit% of the p#osecution e/ience' ?hen put
;une# se/e#e testin"<' oes not !(ount to p#oof be%on #e!son!ble oubt) The
Cou#t h!s t!Den ! ;(o#e th!n c!su!l consie#!tion< of the testi(onies of the
p#osecution ?itnesses !n h!s conclue th!t the inconsistencies the#ein
un(ist!D!bl% c#e!te ! #e!son!ble oubt) The test of (o#!l ce#t!int% is not fulfille)
@People /s) 3i!B' L.*=41+,' June ,*' *HHH' =42 &CRA 7$$' 717.712A)
Cit% of T!"bil!#!n' Au"ust ...' ,4*$)
15
RE&PECTFULL6 &UB5ITTE3-
ATTY. ANGEL S. UCAT, JR.
Counsel fo# the Accuse
IBP No) H4H127 .*,.*1.*=
PTR No) $+227,1' 4*.4,.*$
Roll No) *7=*= O 4,.,$.1,
TIN *=7.=+*.2=,
5CLE Co(p) No)0 O 44441*=' Oct) $' ,4*=
AT 56 IN&TANCE-
CIRILO P. AOBER, JR)
Accuse
Cop% fu#nishe-
HON. ROBERTO B. MALIGMAT
T#i!l P#osecuto#
P#o/inci!l P#osecution Office
16