Assigned Cases: #254 Bonifacio vs People - #264 People vs. Reyes Assigned Cases: #254 Bonifacio vs People - #264 People vs. Reyes CRISANA B. B!NI"ACI!
CRISANA B. B!NI"ACI! petitioner, vs. petitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPP&I%IPPIN$SIN$S respondent. [G.R. respondent. [G.R. No. 153198, July 11, 2006]
No. 153198, July 11, 2006] "ACS:
"ACS: On
On !r"!r"# # 21, 1996, O$eli! 21, 1996, O$eli! %!n%!ntos, ! tos, ! &us&usinesiness'o(!s'o(!n n !nd ! !nd ! &uy)&uy)!nd!nd)sel)sell l !*e!*ent nt o$ o$ +e'elry
+e'elry, , *!ve *!ve petitionepetitioner, r, ris!nt! ris!nt! -oni$!"i-oni$!"io, o, sever!l sever!l +e'elry +e'elry pie"es pie"es !nd !nd si*ned si*ned ! ! do"u(endo"u(entt !"no'led*in* re"eipt o$ t#e +e'elry !nd !*reed to sell t#e ite(s on "o((ission &!sis. %#e !"no'led*in* re"eipt o$ t#e +e'elry !nd !*reed to sell t#e ite(s on "o((ission &!sis. %#e !lso pro(ised to re(it t#e pro"eeds o$ t#e s!le or return t#e unsold ite(s to %!ntos 'it#in 15 !lso pro(ised to re(it t#e pro"eeds o$ t#e s!le or return t#e unsold ite(s to %!ntos 'it#in 15 d!ys.
d!ys.
/etitioner $!iled to turn over t#e pro"eeds o$ t#e s!le 'it#in t#e *iven period. %#e /etitioner $!iled to turn over t#e pro"eeds o$ t#e s!le 'it#in t#e *iven period. %#e !""u(ul!
!""u(ul!ted unp!id !nd ted unp!id !nd unreturneunreturned ite(s d ite(s on t'o on t'o ot#er inst!n"es tot!lin* /2,500. %!ntosot#er inst!n"es tot!lin* /2,500. %!ntos t#en de(!nded t#e petitioner $or t#e p!y(ent o$ t#e !(ount t#ru ! letter d!ted July 25, 1996. t#en de(!nded t#e petitioner $or t#e p!y(ent o$ t#e !(ount t#ru ! letter d!ted July 25, 1996. /etitioner t#en *!ve %!ntos t'o "#e"s !(ountin* to /30,000 !s p!rti!l p!y(ent, '#i"# '!s /etitioner t#en *!ve %!ntos t'o "#e"s !(ountin* to /30,000 !s p!rti!l p!y(ent, '#i"# '!s l!te
l!ter r on on &ou&oun"en"ed d $or $or &ei&ein* n* dr!'dr!'n n !*!!*!inst insu$$inst insu$$i"iei"ient nt $un$unds ds !nd !*!ins!nd !*!inst t ! ! "los"losed ed !""o!""ount.unt. /etitioner '!s t#ere!$ter "#!r*ed 'it# t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! under rti"le 315 1& o$ t#e Revised /etitioner '!s t#ere!$ter "#!r*ed 'it# t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! under rti"le 315 1& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode R/ in !n 4n$or(!tion $iled &e$ore t#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt.
/en!l ode R/ in !n 4n$or(!tion $iled &e$ore t#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt.
#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt R $ound t#e petitioner *uilty $or t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! under #e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt R $ound t#e petitioner *uilty $or t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! under rti"le 315 1& o$ t#e Rev
rti"le 315 1& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode. pised /en!l ode. pon !ppe!l, t#e "ouon !ppe!l, t#e "ourt !$$ir(ed t#e Rrt !$$ir(ed t#e R de"ision de"ision 'i
'it# t# (o(odidi$i$i"!"!tition on !s !s to to t#t#e e pepen!n!ltltyy.. ##e e pepetitititiononer er $i$ileled d ! ! (o(otition on $o$or r rere"o"onsnsididerer!t!tioionn (!int!ini
(!int!inin* t#!t t#e n* t#!t t#e ele(ent o$ (is!ppropri!tioele(ent o$ (is!ppropri!tion or n or "onversion '!s not proved, t#us #er li!&ility"onversion '!s not proved, t#us #er li!&ility s#ould only &e "ivil in n!ture. #e (otion $or re"onsider!tion '!s denied. 7en"e, t#e petition $or s#ould only &e "ivil in n!ture. #e (otion $or re"onsider!tion '!s denied. 7en"e, t#e petition $or "ertior!ri.
"ertior!ri. ISS'$: ISS'$:
#et#er t#e $!ilure to return t#e pie"es o$ +e'elry !lre!dy "onstitutes (is!ppropri!tion or #et#er t#e $!ilure to return t#e pie"es o$ +e'elry !lre!dy "onstitutes (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion in t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!
"onversion in t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! &$%(:
&$%(:
#e %upre(e ourt $ound no (erit in
#e %upre(e ourt $ound no (erit in t#e petition. #e essen"e o$ est!$! under rtt#e petition. #e essen"e o$ est!$! under rt. 315. 315 1& o$ t#e R/ is t#e !ppropri!tion or "onversion o$ (oney or property re"eived, to t#e 1& o$ t#e R/ is t#e !ppropri!tion or "onversion o$ (oney or property re"eived, to t#e pre+udi"e o$ t#e o'ner. #e 'ords :"onvert; !nd :(is!ppropri!te; "onnote !n !"t o$ usin* or pre+udi"e o$ t#e o'ner. #e 'ords :"onvert; !nd :(is!ppropri!te; "onnote !n !"t o$ usin* or disposin* o$ !not#er<s property !s i$ it 'ere one<s o'n, or o$ devotin* it to ! purpose or use disposin* o$ !not#er<s property !s i$ it 'ere one<s o'n, or o$ devotin* it to ! purpose or use di$$erent $ro( t#!t !*reed upon.
di$$erent $ro( t#!t !*reed upon.
-ein* &ound &y t#e !*en"y $or t#e s!le o$ +e'elry, t#e de(!nd $or t#e return o$ t#e t#in* -ein* &ound &y t#e !*en"y $or t#e s!le o$ +e'elry, t#e de(!nd $or t#e return o$ t#e t#in* delivered in trust !nd t#e $!ilure o$ t#e petitioner to !""ount $or it !re "ir"u(st!nti!l eviden"e o$ delivered in trust !nd t#e $!ilure o$ t#e petitioner to !""ount $or it !re "ir"u(st!nti!l eviden"e o$ (is!ppropri!tion. #e petitioner !d(itted t#!t s#e re"eived t#e pie"es o$ +e'elry on "o((ission (is!ppropri!tion. #e petitioner !d(itted t#!t s#e re"eived t#e pie"es o$ +e'elry on "o((ission !nd lie'ise !d(itted t#!t s#e $!iled to return t#e ite(s or t#eir v!lue on %!ntos< de(!nd.
!nd lie'ise !d(itted t#!t s#e $!iled to return t#e ite(s or t#eir v!lue on %!ntos< de(!nd.
#e petition '!s denied &y t#e %upre(e ourt !nd !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ #e petition '!s denied &y t#e %upre(e ourt !nd !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ ppe!l
)!* %$$ R$C'$R(! /etitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent. [G.R. No. 16821=, June 2=, 2006]
"ACS:
%o(eti(e in >e"e(&er 1993, Joy ?ee Re"uerdo, petitioner, pur"#!sed 2.19 "!r!t di!(ond round stone in '#ite *old settin* !(ountin* to /220,000 !nd one pie"e o$ loose 1.55 "!r!t (!r@ueA di!(ond 'it# ! v!lue o$ /130,000 $ro( Bol!nd! Cloro, en*!*ed in t#e &uyin* !nd sellin* o$ +e'elry. #e petitioner t#en !nd t#ere issued ten post)d!ted "#e"s e!"# in t#e !(ount o$ /22,000 !*!inst nitrust >evelop(ent -!n !nd ten post)d!ted "#e"s in t#e !(ount o$ /13,000 dr!'n !*!inst /4 -!n. On"e !*!in, Re"uerdo pur"#!sed !not#er set o$ +e'elries 'ort# /=68,000 &y issuin* !not#er seven postd!ted "#e"s !s do'n p!y(ent !nd siD
post d!ted "#e"s dr!'n !*!inst /rudenti!l -!n representin* t#e &!l!n"e.
pon present(ent $or en"!s#(ent, t#e siD /rudenti!l -!n "#e"s 'ere !ll dis#onored $or #!vin* dr!'n !*!inst "losed !""ounts. Cloro t#en (!de $or(!l de(!nds re@uirin* petitioner to p!y t#e !(ounts represented &y t#e dis#onored "#e"s, to '#i"# Re"uerdo "ontinuously re$used to p!y t#e v!lue o$ t#e pur"#!sed +e'elries. o(pl!in!nt t#en $iled ! "!se !*!inst petitioner.
#e tri!l "ourt "onvi"ted t#e petitioner o$ t'o "ounts o$ est!$! under rt. 315 2d o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode R/. pon !ppe!l, t#e "ourt !$$ir(ed 'it# (odi$i"!tion t#e de"ision o$ t#e tri!l "ourt. #e petitioner $iled ! (otion $or re"onsider!tion "ontendin* t#!t s#e !"ted in *ood $!it# "ontr!ry to t#e $indin* o$ t#e tri!l "ourt !nd t#e !ppell!te "ourts t#!t s#e !"ted 'it# de"eit '#en s#e dre' !nd delivered t#e "#e"s in p!y(ent o$ t#e +e'elries. #e ourt o$ ppe!ls denied t#e (otion.
#e petitioner $iled !n inst!nt petition 'it# t#e %upre(e ourt "ontendin* t#!t s#e !"ted in *ood $!it# !nd eDerted #er ut(ost e$$orts to "on$er 'it# t#e priv!te "o(pl!in!nt to settle #er o&li*!tions. %#e points out t#!t s#e (!de (ont#ly "!s# p!y(ents to lessen #er "ivil li!&ility !nd "ontinued to (!e p!y(ents even durin* t#e penden"y o$ t#e "!se in t#e .
ISS'$:
#et#er *ood $!it# "ould &e r!ised !s ! de$ense in t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! &$%(:
#e "ri(e o$ est!$! under rt. 315 2d o$ t#e R/ #!s t#e $ollo'in* essenti!l ele(entsE 1 ! "#e" is postd!ted or issued in p!y(ent o$ !n o&li*!tion "ontr!"ted !t t#e ti(e it is issuedF 2 l!" o$ insu$$i"ien"y o$ $unds to "over t#e "#e"F !nd 3 d!(!*e to t#e p!yee t#ereo$. 4t is "ri(in!l $r!ud or de"eit in t#e issu!n"e o$ ! "#e" '#i"# is (!de punis#!&le !nd not t#e non)p!y(ent o$ ! de&t.
st!$! is ! $elony "o((itted 'it# dolo 'it# (!li"e. nder rt 315 2d o$ t#e R/, (!li"e !nd spe"i$i" intent to de$r!ud !re re@uired. #ere "!n &e no est!$! i$ t#e !""used !"ted in *ood $!it# &e"!use *ood $!it# ne*!tes (!li"e !nd de"eit. Good $!it# is ! de$ense to ! "#!r*e o$ est!$! &y postd!tin* ! "#e".
4n t#e present "!se, t#e petitioner<s insisten"e o$ #er *ood $!it# '!s r!ised !s ! (ere !$tert#ou*#t in ! l!st dit"# e$$ort to se"ure #er !"@uitt!l. 4t '!s t#e spe"ter o$ lon* prison ter(
'#i"# +olted petitioner into (!in* re(itt!n"es to t#e priv!te "o(pl!in!nt, !$ter t#e !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e tri!l "ourt !nd in"re!sed t#e pen!lty (eted on #er, !nd not &e"!use s#e #!d !"ted in *ood $!it# in #er tr!ns!"tions 'it# t#e priv!te "o(pl!in!nt.
#e rei(&urse(ent or restitution o$ t#e o$$ended p!rty o$ t#e su(s s'indled &y t#e petitioner does not eDtin*uis# t#e "ri(in!l li!&ility o$ t#e l!tter. 4t only eDtin*uis#es pro t!nto t#e "ivil li!&ility. oreover, est!$! is ! pu&li" o$$ense '#i"# (ust &e prose"uted !nd punis#ed &y t#e %t!te on its o'n (otion even t#ou*# "o(plete rep!r!tion #!d &een (!de $or t#e loss or d!(!*e su$$ered &y t#e o$$ended p!rty. %u&se@uent p!y(ents do not o&liter!te t#e "ri(in!l li!&ility in"urred.
#e %upre(e ourt !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls.
ANICIA RA+!S-AN(AN /etitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent. [G.R. No. 136388, !r"# 1, 2006]
"ACS:
/etitioner !nd /oten"i!n! Nieto !ppro!"#ed liA!&et# !lderon !nd o$$ered to &uy t#e l!tter<s di!(ond rin*, to '#i"# s#e !*reed to sell t#e rin*. 4n turn, /oten"i!n! *!ve #er t#ree postd!ted "#e"s, !s eviden"ed &y t#e si*ned re"eipts !s $ull p!y(ent o$ t#e s!id +e'elry. #en !lderon deposited t#e "#e"s upon (!turity, t#ey &oun"ed $or t#e re!son :""ount losed.; %#e t#en sent /oten"i!n! ! de(!nd letter &ut s#e re$used.
#e petitioner (!int!ined t#!t s#e si*ned t#e re"eipt !nd t#e "#e"s (erely !s 'itness to t#e tr!ns!"tion &et'een liA!&et# !nd /oten"i!n!. #e tri!l "ourt $ound t#e petitioner *uilty !nd #eld t#!t '#ile /oten"i!n! '#o issued t#e "#e"s, nonet#eless, it '!s petitioner '#o indu"ed liA!&et# to !""ept t#e( !nd '#o endorsed t#e s!(e, t#us, s#e "!nnot es"!pe li!&ility. On !ppe!l, #e ourt o$ ppe!ls !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e R. /etitioner $iled ! (otion $or re"onsider!tion, &ut t#is '!s denied &y t#e ppell!te ourt. 7en"e, t#is inst!nt petition 'it# t#e %upre(e ourt. /etitioner "ontends t#!t not &ein* t#e dr!'er o$ t#e "#e"s, s#e "!nnot &e #eld "ri(in!lly li!&le.
ISS'$:
#et#er t#e petitioner, not &ein* t#e dr!'er o$ t#e "#e"s, "!nnot &e #eld "ri(in!lly li!&le
&$%(:
/oten"i!n! '!s t#e dr!'er o$ t#e "#e"sF #o'ever, it '!s petitioner '#o dire"tly !nd person!lly ne*oti!ted t#e s!(e. 4t '!s s#e '#o si*ned t#e re"eipt eviden"in* t#e s!le !nd #!nded t#e "#e"s to liA!&et# !nd endorsed t#e( !s p!y(ent $or t#e rin*. 4t is t#us "le!r t#!t petitioner !nd /oten"i!n! !"ted in "on"ert $or t#e purpose o$ indu"in* !nd de$r!udin* liA!&et# to p!rt 'it# #er +e'elry.
#e ele(ents o$ t#e o$$ense de$ined !nd pen!liAed &y rt 315 2d o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode !reE 1 postd!tin* or issu!n"e o$ ! "#e" in p!y(ent o$ !n o&li*!tion "ontr!"ted !t t#e ti(e t#e "#e" '!s issuedF 2 l!" o$ insu$$i"ien"y o$ $unds to "over t#e "#e"F !nd 3 t#e
p!yee '!s not in$or(ed &y t#e o$$ender !nd t#e p!yee did not no' t#!t t#e o$$ender #!d no $unds or insu$$i"ient $unds. ll t#ese ele(ents !re present in t#is "!se.
#e %upre(e ourt denied t#e petition !nd !$$ir(ed t#e !ss!iled de"ision.
ANIA C&'A /etitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent [G.R. Nos. 150926 !nd 30, !r"# 6, 2006]
"ACS:
On Nove(&er 25, 1982, petitioner nit! #u! issued to r!"eli sti*oy, "o(pl!in!nt, $ive postd!ted "#e"s dr!'n !*!inst /!"i$i" -!n in p!y(ent o$ i(ported ite(s. /etitioner 'ent !*!in to sti*oy<s #ouse to pur"#!se so(e i(ported ite(s !nd issued ei*#t postd!ted "#e"s dr!'n !*!inst t#e s!(e &!n. On t#eir due d!tes, "o(pl!in!nt deposited t#e "#e"s &ut t#e s!(e 'ere dis#onored. %#e t#en noti$ied t#e petitioner !nd de(!nded p!y(ent, to '#i"# t#e petitioner $!iled to redee( or p!y t#e !(ounts o$ t#e "#e"s.
ppell!nt !d(itted usin* t#e "#e"s &ut interposed t#e de$ense t#!t s#e issued t#e "#e"s !s "oll!ter!l !nd &y '!y o$ !""o((od!tion o$ t#e "o(pl!in!nt '#o re@uested $or t#e "#e"s.
#e tri!l "ourt $ound t#e petitioner *uilty $or t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!. On !ppe!l to t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls t#e petitioner "ontended t#!t #er li!&ility '!s purely "ivil &e"!use #er tr!ns!"tion 'it# priv!te "o(pl!in!nt (erely involved !n !""ountin* !nd li@uid!tion o$ "ivil o&li*!tions. #e !$$ir(ed 'it# (odi$i"!tion !s to t#e pen!lty i(posed.
ISS'$:
#et#er issu!n"e o$ un$unded "#e"s !s "oll!ter!l or se"urity $or t#e *oods does not "onstitute est!$! under rt 315 2d o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode R/
&$%(:
#e ele(ents o$ est!$! under rt. 315 2 d o$ t#e R/ !reE 1 t#!t t#e o$$ender postd!ted or issued ! "#e" in p!y(ent o$ !n o&li*!tion "ontr!"ted !t t#e ti(e o$ t#e postd!tin* or issu!n"eF 2 t#!t !t t#e ti(e o$ t#e issu!n"e o$ t#e "#e", t#e o$$ender #!d no $unds in t#e &!n or t#e $unds deposited 'ere insu$$i"ient to "over t#e !(ount o$ t#e "#e"F !nd 3 t#!t t#e p!yee #!s &een de$r!uded.
ll t#e ele(ents o$ est!$! !re present in t#is "!se. /etitioner<s de$ense is not 'ort#y o$ "reden"e. ri!l "ourt "orre"tly $ound !nd !$$ir(ed &y "le!rly s#o'ed t#!t t#ey 'ere intended !s p!y(ents $or t#e ite(s s#e o&t!ined $ro( "o(pl!in!nt. o(pl!in!nt 'ould not #!ve p!rted 'it# #is *oods in eD"#!n*e o$ &u( "#e"s. 4t is lie'ise "ontr!ry to ordin!ry #u(!n eDperien"e !nd to sound &usiness pr!"ti"e $or petitioner to issue so (!ny un$unded "#e"s !s :"oll!ter!l; or :&y '!y o$ !""o((od!tion;. s !n eDperien"ed &usiness'o(!n, petitioner "ould not #!ve &een so n!Hve !s not to no' t#!t s#e "ould &e #eld "ri(in!lly li!&le $or issuin* un$unded "#e"s.
BI$N,$NI(! !NA%'(! /etitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent. [G.R. No. 150910, Ce&ru!ry 6, 2006]
"ACS:
#en lysses Iiill!$or died, #is (istress, Rose(!rie Gelo*o, o$$ered to sell t#e 2)storey #ouse o$ t#e $or(er to -ienvenido GonA!ludo, petitioner, $or ! "#e!p pri"e. Cor l!" o$ $unds, petitioner t#en "onvin"ed spouses Gre** !nl!s !nd el&! !nl!s, to &uy t#e s!(e despite no'led*e t#!t Gelo*o '!s not t#e l!'$ul o'ner o$ t#e #ouse.
On J!nu!ry 20, 1993, Gelo*o !nd Gre** !nl!s, eDe"uted ! >eed o$ %!le !nd si*ned !s Rose(!rie Iill!$lor !nd represented #ersel$ to &e t#e l!'$ul 'i$e o$ t#e de"e!sed. !nl!s t#en !"@uired !ll o$ Rose(!rie<s ri*#ts !nd interest on t#e su&+e"t #ouse.
nit! !nl!n*it, l!'$ul 'i$e o$ t#e de"e!sed t#en sued Gelo*o, GonA!ludo !nd !nl!s spouses $or t#e "o(pleD "ri(e o$ est!$! t#rou*# $!lsi$i"!tion o$ pu&li" do"u(ent in t#e Re*ion!l r!il ourt. Cor Gelo*o re(!ined !t l!r*e, t#e spouses 'ere !"@uitted !nd t#e petitioner '!s "onvi"ted $or t#e "o(pleD "ri(e o$ est!$! t#rou*# $!lsi$i"!tion o$ pu&li" do"u(ents. On !ppe!l, t#e !ppell!te "ourt dis(issed t#e petition $or l!" o$ (erit !nd !$$ir(ed t#e tri!l "ourt<s +ud*(ent. #e (otion $or re"onsider!tion '!s denied &y t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls, #en"e, t#is petition.
ISS'$:
#et#er t#e de$end!nt "ould still &e sep!r!tely "onvi"ted o$ ot#er o$$ense '#en t#ere is $!ilure to support t#e "#!r*e o$ one o$ t#e "o(ponent o$$enses
&$%(:
o se"ure "onvi"tion $or est!$! under rti"le 315 2! o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode R/, t#e $ollo'in* re@uisites (ust "on"urE 1t#!t t#e !""used (!de $!lse pretenses or $r!udulent represent!tions !s to #is po'er, in$luen"e, @u!li$i"!tions, property, "redit, !*en"y, &usiness or i(!*in!ry tr!ns!"tionsF 2t#!t su"# $!lse pretenses or $r!udulent represent!tions 'ere (!de prior to or si(ult!neous 'it# t#e "o((ission o$ t#e $r!ud.F 3t#!t su"# $!lse pretenses !nd $r!udulent represent!tions "onstitute t#e very "!use '#i"# indu"ed t#e o$$ended p!rty to p!rt 'it# #is (oney or propertyF !nd t#!t !s ! result t#ereo$, t#e o$$ended p!rty su$$ered d!(!*e.
#ile it (!y &e s!id t#!t t#ere '!s $r!ud or de"eit "o((itted &y Rose(!rie in t#is "!se, su"# $r!ud or de"eit '!s e(ployed upon t#e !nl!s spouses '#o '#ere t#e one '#o p!rted 'it# t#eir (oney '#en t#ey pur"#!sed t#e #ouse. %in"e t#e de"eit or $r!ud '!s not t#e e$$i"ient "!use !nd did not indu"e nit! !nl!n*it to p!rt 'it# #er property in t#is "!se, Rose(!rie "!nnot &e #eld li!&le $or est!$!.
Cor !n !""used to &e "onvi"ted o$ t#e "o(pleD "ri(e o$ est!$! t#rou*# $!lsi$i"!tion o$ pu&li" do"u(ent, !ll t#e ele(ents o$ t#e t'o "ri(es o$ est!$! !nd $!lsi$i"!tion o$ pu&li" do"u(ent (ust eDist.
#e %upre(e ourt !"@uitted t#e petitioner $or t#e "o(pleD "ri(e o$ st!$! t#rou*# C!lsi$i"!tion o$ /u&li" >o"u(ent &ut $ound *uilty o$ t#e "ri(e o$ C!lsi$i"!tion o$ /u&li" >o"u(ent.
S*%,IA P$R$ /etitioner, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent. [G.R. No. 1503, J!nu!ry 20, 2006]
"ACS:
#e !""used, %ylvi! /ereA '!s e(ployed in %tor" /rodu"ts 4n". !s !n ""ounts Re"eiv!&le !nd Re"ordin* ler. %#e '!s in "#!r*ed 'it# t#e re"eipt o$ "!s# repl!"e(ent !$ter ! "#e" "olle"ted &y ! s!les(!n, &oun"es !nd t#en turns over t#e "!s# repl!"e(ent to t#e tre!surer.
%o(eti(e durin* t#e period in O"to&er 1990 to %epte(&er 1993, /ereA re"eived t#e "!s# !(ount o$ /18,160.35 !s "olle"tion $ro( t#e "o(p!ny s!les(!n, 'it# intent to de$r!ud, un$!it#$ulness !nd !&use o$ "on$iden"e, did t#en !nd t#ere 'ill$ully, unl!'$ully, !nd $eloniously (is!ppropri!te, (is!pply !nd "onvert t#e s!(e to #er o'n person!l use !nd &ene$it, !nd despite de(!nds to turn over !nd re(it t#e s!id !(ount, s#e $!iled !nd re$used to t#e d!(!*e !nd pre+udi"e o$ t#e "o(p!ny.
$ter "on$ront!tion 'it# t#e (!n!*er, -!retto, !nd /ereA, t#e $or(er re"eived ! pro(issory note $ro( /ereA<s #us&!nd re@uestin* t#!t t#e "o(p!ny !llo' petitioner to return t#e (oney on inst!ll(ent. -!retto !dvised /ereA !nd #er #us&!nd to eDe"ute !n !$$id!vit o$ undert!in* t#!t s#e 'ould return t#e (oney to %tor". /ereA !lso p!id /20,000 !s initi!l p!y(ent. 7o'ever, petitioner did not (!e !ny $urt#er p!y(ent pro(ptin* %tor" to $ile t#e "o(pl!int $or est!$! in t#e tri!l "ourt.
#e tri!l "ourt $ound t#e petitioner *uilty &eyond re!son!&le dou&t o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!. pon !ppe!l, t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls #eld t#!t t#e prose"ution proved &eyond re!son!&le dou&t t#!t /ereA re"eived t#e "!s# repl!"e(ents $ro( %tor" s!les(en !nd t#!t s#e $!iled to turn over t#e (oney to %tor"<s tre!surer. /ereA<s $!ilure to turn over t#e (oney s#e re"eived "onstituted (is!ppropri!tion o$ t#e (oney $or #er o'n &ene$it to %tor"<s d!(!*e !nd pre+udi"e. ISS'$:
#et#er t#e $irst ele(ent o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! '!s present &$%(:
#e ele(ents o$ est!$! under p!r!*r!p# 1&, rti"le 315 o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode !reE 1 t#e o$$ender re"eives t#e (oney, *oods or ot#er person!l property in trust, or on "o((ission, or $or !d(inistr!tion, or under !ny ot#er o&li*!tion involvin* t#e duty to deliver or to return t#e s!(eF 2 t#e o$$ender (is!ppropri!tes or "onverts su"# (oney or property or denies re"eivin* su"# (oney or propertyF 3 t#e (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion or deni!l is to t#e pre+udi"e o$ !not#erF !nd t#e o$$ended p!rty de(!nds t#!t t#e o$$ender return t#e (oney or property.
Ientonill!, %!nti!*o !nd %in"ero "on$ir(ed t#!t t#e s!les(!n 'ould turn over "!s# repl!"e(ents o$ &oun"ed "#e"s to /ereA. /ereA<s responsi&ility '!s to turn over t#e "!s# repl!"e(ents to t#e tre!surer. 7o'ever, /ereA $!iled to turn over t#e "!s# repl!"e(ents to t#e tre!surer.
#e ourt $ound no re!son to devi!te $ro( t#e $!"tu!l $indin*s o$ t#e tri!l "ourt !nd t#e . 4t is ! settled rule t#!t $!"tu!l $indin*s o$ t#e tri!l "ourts, !re entitled to *re!t 'ei*#t !nd
respe"t &y t#e ourt, p!rti"ul!rly '#en t#e !$$ir(ed t#e $indin*s. ri!l ourts !re in t#e &est position to !ssess t#e 'itnesses< "redi&ility !nd to !ppre"i!te t#eir trut#$ulness, #onesty !nd "!ndor. Curt#er, it is unliely t#!t /ereA 'ould p!y /20,000 !nd undert!e to p!y t#e re(!inin* &!l!n"e i$ s#e did not re!lly re"eive t#e (oney $ro( t#e s!les(en. /ereA<s in"redi&le "l!i(s only stren*t#en t#e "!se !*!inst #er.
#e %upre(e ourt denied t#e petition !nd !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls.
R!+$! . %!R$N! /etitioner, vs. &$ P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondent. [G.R. No. 152335 >e"e(&er 19, 2005]
"ACS:
On %epte(&er 21, 1992, petitioner Ro(eo ?orenAo o$$ered to sell to yrl! inn*oy ! #ouse $or /150,000. #en s#e 'ent to petitioner<s #ouse to inspe"t t#e property. /etitioner t#en told in**oy t#!t t#e property '!s (ort*!*ed 'it# t#e G%4% !nd i$ s#e !*reed to &uy t#e property, s#e 'ould #!ve to "ontinue (!in* t#e (ort*!*e p!y(ents. pon seein* t#e st!te(ent o$ !""ount, in**oy t#en !*reed to &uy t#e #ouse !nd t#en pro(ised to p!y #i( on J!nu!ry 1, 1993. On s!id d!te, in**oy p!id petitioner t#e !(ount o$ /150,000 in return $or t#e %pe"i!l /o'er o$ ttorney, >eed o$ r!ns$er o$ Ri*#ts, !iver o$ Ri*#ts, >eed o$ &solute %!le !nd %inu(p!!n* %!l!ys!y o$ petitioner. 7o'ever, '#en in**oy sou*#t to o""upy t#e property, petitioner re$used to le!ve t#e #ouse. $ter $!iled e$$orts, in**oy $iled ! "!se !*!inst petitioner !nd #is 'i$e.
#e tri!l "ourt "onvi"ted t#e !""used o$ est!$! under rti"le 315, /!r!*r!p# 2! o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode. On !ppe!l, t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls !$$ir(ed t#e tri!l "ourt<s de"ision in toto !nd denied t#e (otion $or re"onsider!tion $iled &y t#e petitioner. #e !**rieved p!rty t#en $iled ! petition $or revie' on "ertior!ri.
ISS'$:
#et#er !""used is *uilty o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! '#en t#ere '!s !&sen"e o$ de"eit in t#e "o((ission o$ t#e o$$ense
&$%(:
o "onvi"t petitioner o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!, t#e $ollo'in* ele(ents (ust &e presentE 1 t#ere (ust &e ! $!lse pretense, $r!udulent !"t or $r!udulent (e!nsF 2 su"# $!lse pretense, $r!udulent !"t or $r!udulent (e!ns (ust &e (!de or eDe"uted prior to or si(ult!neously 'it# t#e "o((ission o$ t#e $r!udF 3 t#e o$$ended p!rty (ust #!ve relied on t#e $!lse pretense, $r!udulent !"t, or $r!udulent (e!ns, t#!t is, #e '!s indu"ed to p!rt 'it# #is (oney or property &e"!use o$ t#e $!lse pretense, $r!udulent !"t, or $r!udulent (e!nsF !nd !s ! result t#ereo$, t#e o$$ended p!rty su$$ered d!(!*e.
#e eviden"e on re"ord pl!inly s#o's t#!t t#e ele(ents o$ t#e o$$ense !re present in t#e "!se. /etitioner $r!udulently o$$ered to sell to priv!te "o(pl!in!nt #is ri*#ts over t#e su&+e"t property !lt#ou*# su"# ri*#ts #!d &een lost &y virtue o$ t#e "!n"ell!tion o$ #is >eed o$ ondition!l %!le 'it# t#e G%4%. Relyin* on petitioner<s (isrepresent!tions, priv!te "o(pl!in!nt p!id #i( /150,000.00 !s "onsider!tion &ut s#e '!s never !&le to *!in possession o$ t#e property *iven petitioner<s re$us!l to v!"!te t#e s!(e. le!rly, petitioner is *uilty o$ t#e o$$ense.
#e %upre(e ourt *r!nted in p!rt t#e petition !nd (odi$ied t#e <s de"ision !$$ir(in* in toto t#e de"ision o$ t#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt &y deletin* order o$ inde(ni$i"!tion o$ /150,000.
A+$%IA ($%A CR' /etitioners, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S Respondents. [G.R. No. 15039, July 29, 2005]
"ACS:
(elit! >el! ruA, petitioner is ! se"ret!ry !nd p!yroll "ler !t !nd!rin %e!$ood Iill!*e, 4n". sin"e 1989. 7er duty '!s to "o(pute t#e p!yroll &!sed on t#e ti(e "!rd, re@uest t#e tre!surer $or t#e issu!n"e !nd en#!n"e(ent o$ t#e "orrespondin* "#e"s, pl!"e t#e (oney on t#e p!y slip to*et#er 'it# t'o ot#er persons, !nd !$ter'!rds distri&ute t#e s!(e to t#e e(ployees.
#e president t#en ordered !n !udit due to t#e re"eipt to in$or(!tion !&out t#e li$estyle o$ t#e petitioner, s#e '!s !&le to &uy ! "!r !nd &uild #er o'n #ouse. #e personnel (!n!*er, !nuel !t!((u, t#en "o(puted t#e tot!l !"no'led*ed p!y slips !nd "o(p!red it 'it# t#e tot!l !(ount o$ t#e "#e"s 'it#dr!'n, #e $ound out t#!t t#ere '!s !n overdr!'n !(ount o$ /352,2=.31. $ter dis"overin* t#e dis"rep!n"y #e i((edi!tely reported t#e s!(e to t#e d(inistr!tion !nd su&(itted t#e report t#erein instru"ted. /etitioner '!s not !&le to eDpl!in t#e (ist!e in t#e p!yroll "o(put!tion to r !t!((u &e"!use t#e &rot#er o$ #er #us&!nd died !nd s#e '!s not !&le to return $or 'or !$ter'!rds &e"!use s#e &e"!(e ill. r. !t!((u t#en re"o((ended t#!t t#e proper "o(pl!int &e $iled in "ourt !nd in turn #e '!s instru"ted to (!e $urt#er !udit.
#e tri!l "ourt relied on "ir"u(st!nti!l eviden"e !s proved &y prose"ution !nd $ound t#e petitioner *uilty &eyond re!son!&le dou&t o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! in t#e !(ount o$ /352,2=.31. pon !ppe!l, t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls !$$ir(ed t#e de"ision in toto. /etitioner "l!i(s t#e erred '#en i$ !$$ir(ed in toto t#e de"ision no'in* t#e s!id de"ision is "ontr!ry to l!' !nd +urispruden"e, !nd t#!t t#e eviden"e presented is not su$$i"ient to "onvi"t #er &eyond
re!son!&le dou&t. 7en"e, t#is petition to t#e %upre(e ourt. ISS'$:
#et#er over)"o(put!tion o$ t#e p!yroll '!s "o((itted 'it# ! vie' to (is!ppropri!te to #old t#e petitioner *uilty o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!
&$%(:
#e "ri(e o$ est!$! t#rou*# (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion !s de$ined in !nd pen!liAed under rti"le 315, p!r!*r!p# 1&, o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode. #e ele(ents o$ t#e s!id "ri(e !reE 1 t#!t (oney, *oods or ot#er person!l property is re"eived &y t#e o$$ender in trust, or on
"o((ission or $or !d(inistr!tion, or under !ny ot#er o&li*!tion involvin* t#e duty to (!e delivery o$, or to return, t#e s!(eF 2 t#!t t#ere &e (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion o$ su"# (oney or property &y t#e o$$ender or deni!l on #is p!rt o$ su"# re"eiptF 3 t#!t su"# (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion or deni!l is to t#e pre+udi"e o$ !not#erF !nd t#!t t#ere is ! de(!nd (!de &y t#e o$$ended p!rty on t#e o$$ender.
#e ourt $ound t#!t t#e "ir"u(st!nti!l eviden"e present in t#e "!se !t &!r !re *rossly insu$$i"ient to sust!in ! "onvi"tion. -!sed on t#e testi(onies, it is note'ort#y t#!t t#e petitioner #!d no #!nd in t#e !"tu!l issu!n"e o$ t#e "#e"s, !nd (ore i(port!ntly, 'it# t#e 'it#dr!'!l o$ t#e (oney $ro( t#e &!n. #ile it '!s t#e !""used '#o "o(puted t#e p!yroll o$ t#e e(ployees, nevert#eless, s#e '!s not t#e only person '#o #!d !""ess to t#e (oney. lso, t#ere #!s &een no "o(pl!int e(!n!tin* $ro( t#e e(ployees re*!rdin* t#e s!l!ries t#ey #!ve &een re"eivin*.
#e %upre(e ourt reversed t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls !nd !"@uitted t#e petitioner on t#e *round o$ re!son!&le dou&t.
PAB%I! +'RA! and N$%I! &'$RA'$%A petitioners, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S respondent . [G.R. No. 1185, June 30, 2005]
"ACS:
/etitioner /!&lito (ur!o, sole o'ner o$ ?orn! ur!o 4ndustri!l o((er"i!l nterprises ?4, ! "o(p!ny en*!*ed in t#e &usiness o$ sellin* !nd re$illin* $ire eDtin*uis#ers. /etitioner Nelio 7uert!Auel! is t#e &r!n"# (!n!*er o$ ?4 in /uerto /rin"es! ity, /!l!'!n.
On %epte(&er 1, 199 entered into ! >e!lers#ip *ree(ent 'it# #ito Cederi"o $or t#e (!retin*, distri&ution !nd re$illin* $ire eDtin*uis#ers. C!ilin* to "o(ply 'it# t#e "onditions o$ s!id !*ree(ent, Cederi"o '!s still !llo'ed to !"t !s p!rt)ti(e s!les !*ent $or ?4 entitled to ! per"ent!*e "o((ission $ro( t#e s!le o$ $ire eDtin*uis#ers. Cederi"o "l!i(ed t#!t #e '!s entitled to ! "o((ission e@uiv!lent to 50 o$ t#e *ross s!les #e #!d (!de on &e#!l$ o$ ?4 '#ile petitioners (!int!ined t#!t #e s#ould re"eive only 30 o$ t#e net s!les.
Cederi"o t#en $!"ilit!ted t#e tr!ns!"tion 'it# t#e ity Govern(ent o$ /uerto /rin"es! $or t#e re$ill o$ 202 $ire eDtin*uis#ers, 99 o$ '#i"# '!s undert!en in t#e $irst pur"#!se order. pon re"eipt o$ "#e" !s p!y(ent $or t#e $irst pur"#!se !(ountin* to /300,5=2, 7uert!Auel! t#en deposited it to t#e "urrent !""ount o$ ?4 'it# /4-!n. Cederi"o t#en de(!nded t#e !(ount o$ /15,500 !s #is "o((ission $ro( t#e p!y(ent o$ t#e $irst pur"#!se order to '#i"# 7uert!Auel! re$used to p!y sin"e &ot# o$ t#e( "ould not !*ree on t#e proper !(ount t#ereo$. Cederi"o t#en $iled ! "!se !*!inst t#e petitioners $or t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! 'it# t#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt.
#e tri!l "ourt $ound t#e petitioners *uilty &eyond re!son!&le dou&t !s "o)prin"ip!ls o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! de$ined in rti"le 3151& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode. pon !ppe!l, t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls !$$ir(ed 'it# t#e (odi$i"!tion !s to t#e pen!lty. #en t#e denied t#e otion $or Re"onsider!tion, t#e petitioners $iled ! petition $or revie' 'it# t#e %upre(e ourt.
ISS'$:
#et#er t#e $irst essenti!l ele(ent o$ "ri(e o$ est!$! in"ludes t#e rel!tion o$ !*ent !nd prin"ip!l
&$%(:
#e ourt #eld t#!t t'o essenti!l ele(ents o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! &y (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion under rti"le 3151& !re !&sent, n!(elyE 1 t#!t (oney, *oods or ot#er person!l property &e re"eived &y t#e o$$ender in trust, or on "o((ission, or $or !d(inistr!tion, or under !ny ot#er o&li*!tion involvin* t#e duty to (!e delivery o$, or to return, t#e s!(eF !nd 2 t#!t t#ere &e ! (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion o$ su"# (oney or property &y t#e o$$ender.
#e ri*#t to ! "o((ission does not (!e priv!te "o(pl!in!nt Cederi"o ! +oint o'ner o$ t#e (oney p!id to ?4 &ut est!&lis#es t#e rel!tion o$ !*ent !nd prin"ip!l. ll pro$its (!de !nd !ny !dv!nt!*e *!ined &y !n !*ent in t#e eDe"ution o$ #is !*en"y s#ould &elon* to t#e prin"ip!l. %in"e ?4 '!s t#e ri*#t$ul o'ner o$ t#e entire pro"eeds o$ t#e "#e" p!y(ent $ro( t#e ity Govern(ent o$ /uerto /rin"es!, t#en t#e petitioners '#o "olle"ted t#e p!y(ent on &e#!l$ o$ ?4 did not re"eive t#e s!(e or !ny p!rt t#ereo$ in trust, or on "o((ission, or $or !d(inistr!tion, or under !ny ot#er o&li*!tion involvin* t#e duty to (!e delivery o$, or to return, t#e s!(e to Cederi"o, t#us t#ere is no $idu"i!ry rel!tions#ip eDisted &et'een t#e petitioners !nd Cederi"o. $idu"i!ry rel!tions#ip is !n essenti!l ele(ent o$ est!$! &y (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion, 'it#out '#i"# t#e !""used "ould not #!ve "o((itted est!$!.
#e %upre(e ourt reversed !nd set !side t#e de"ision o$ t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls !nd t#ere&y !"@uitted t#e petitioners $or t#eir !"tions did not "onstitute t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! &y "onversion or (is!ppropri!tion under rti"le 3151& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode.
R!B$R CRISAN! (. %$$ /etitioners, vs. P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S and A! RA(IN C!RP!RAI!N Respondents. [G.R. No. 15==81, pril 11, 2005]
"ACS:
toA r!din* orpor!tion is ! sto" "orpor!tion en*!*ed in t#e tr!din* o$ !ni(!l $eeds, $eed supple(ents, r!' (!teri!ls !nd in*redients $or $eed (ills. /etitioner Ro&ert ?ee, "orpor!tion<s s!les (!n!*er, is in "#!r*ed to #!ndle t#e O"e!n Ceed ills !""ount sin"e #e '!s !&le to &rin* t#e s!id "o(p!ny !s one o$ toA<s "lients. r!ns!"tions &et'een t#e t'o "o(p!nies 'ere "oursed t#ou*# t#e petitioner !nd p!y(ents to toA 'ere !ddressed to ?ee t#rou*# tele*r!p#i" tr!ns$ers to eit#er toA r!din* !ndKor Ro&ert ?ee.
#en petitioner "e!sed reportin* $or 'or, toA !udited so(e o$ t#e !""ounts #!ndled &y #i(. 4t '!s t#en dis"overed t#!t O"e!n Ceed ills< unp!id !""ount in t#e !(ount o$ /318,6=2 t#us noti$ied O"e!n Ceed ills t#!t petitioner '!s no lon*er "onne"ted 'it# t#e "orpor!tion, !nd !dvised it to veri$y its !""ounts. O"e!n Ceed ills t#en noti$ied t#e "o(p!ny t#!t t#ey #!ve !lre!dy $ully settled t#eir !""ounts !nd even (!de overp!y(ents.
#e "o(p!ny president Jo##ny J!ote*!n 'ent to t#e petitioner<s #ouse !nd tried to lo"!te t#e petitioner !nd t#ereupon de(!nded #i( to re(it t#e p!y(ents (!de &y O"e!n Ceed
ills to roA. #e "o(p!ny t#en $iled ! "!se !*!inst t#e petitioner $or t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! !s de$ined under rt. 3151& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode.
#e tri!l "ourt $ound t#e petitioner *uilty &eyond re!son!&le dou&t o$ nine "ounts o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$!. pon !ppe!l, t#e ourt o$ ppe!ls dis(issed t#e !ppe!l !nd !$$ir(ed t#e !ss!iled de"ision. /etitioner "ontends t#!t #e "ould not &e "onvi"ted o$ t#e "ri(e o$ est!$! sin"e t#e ele(ent o$ $or(!l de(!nd &e$ore t#e $ilin* o$ t#e "!ses !*!inst #i( is l!"in*, #en"e t#e $ilin* o$ t#e petition $or revie' on "ertior!ri 'it# t#e %upre(e ourt.
ISS'$:
#et#er de(!nd (ust &e (!de $or(!lly !s re@uired in t#e t# essenti!l ele(ent o$
"ri(e o$ est!$! &$%(:
#e $ourt# ele(ent o$ est!$! under rti"le 3151& o$ t#e Revised /en!l ode, t#!t de(!nd '!s (!de &y t#e o$$ended p!rty, '!s (!de &y t#e o$$ended p!rty. #e respondent "o(p!ny<s /resident J!ote*!n !lon* 'it# #is "ounsel !nd so(e poli"e(en, 'ent to petitioner<s #ouse !nd t#ere #e '!s !sed to re(it s!id su(s o$ (oney !nd to return t#e "o(p!ny "!r !nd ! "ellul!r p#one. !rlier, t#ey en"ountered di$$i"ulty in lo"!tin* petitioner !$ter #is "ontinued $!ilure to report $or 'or.
/rior de(!nd need not &e (!de $or(!lly. 4t (!y &e ver&!l. >e(!nd is not !n ele(ent o$ t#e $elony or ! "ondition pre"edent to t#e $ilin* o$ ! "ri(in!l "o(pl!int $or est!$!. 4n ! prose"ution $or est!$!, de(!nd is not ne"ess!ry '#ere t#ere is eviden"e o$ (is!ppropri!tion or "onversion. 7o'ever, $!ilure to !""ount upon de(!nd, $or $unds or property #eld in trust, is "ir"u(st!nti!l eviden"e o$ (is!ppropri!tion.
4t (ust &e noted t#!t t#e spe"i$i" 'ord Lde(!ndL need not &e used to s#o' t#!t de(!nd #!d, indeed, &een (!de upon t#e person "#!r*ed o$ t#e o$$ense. @uery !s to t#e '#ere!&outs o$ t#e (oney, su"# !s t#e one proven in t#e "!se !t &en"#, is t!nt!(ount to ! de(!nd.
#e %upre(e ourt denied t#e petition $or l!" o$ (erit.
P$!P%$ !" &$ P&I%IPPIN$S ppellee, vs. alo/a 0eyes and 10icia /ae 0eyes 3A %AR$ accused . A%!+A R$*$S ppell!nt. [G.R. No. 15159, !r"# 31, 2005]
"ACS:
/etitioner, en*!*ed in '#oles!le o$ so$tdrins, st!rted &orro'in* (oney $ro( priv!te "o(pl!in!nt. #enever s#e &orro'ed (oney, s#e repl!"ed it 'it# "#e"s. 7o'ever, s#e su$$ered &usiness reverses !nd "losed s#op.
o p!y #er outst!ndin* o&li*!tions 'it# priv!te "o(pl!in!nt, t#e l!tter (!de #er issue 16 Ne*oti!&le Order to it#dr!' NO "#e"s !s inst!ll(ent p!y(ents. #e l!st inst!ll(ent '!s to $!ll on !r"# 31, 1998. None o$ t#e "#e"s 'ere supposed to eD"eed t#e !(ount o$ /13,000 e!"#.
/riv!te "o(pl!in!nt t#en deposited t#e NO "#e" d!ted u*ust 31, 199= to #is etro&!n !""ount on %epte(&er 1, 199=. On %epte(&er 2, 199=, etro&!n returned t#e instru(ent 'it# t#e not!tion :""ount losed.;
%o(eti(e in Ce&ru!ry 1998, petitioners "!(e to t#e "o(pl!in!nt !nd dis"ounted t#eir person!l "#e" !(ountin* to /280,000 d!ted !r"# 31, 1998. #e NO "#e" '!s t#en presented $or p!y(ent on pril 2, 1998 &ut '!s returned to etro&!n on pril 3, 1998 $or t#e re!son :!""ount "losed.; 7e i((edi!tely noti$ied !ppell!nt &ut t#e l!tter !lle*edly re$used to repl!"e it 'it# "!s#. 7e sent ! de(!nd letter &y re*istered (!il &ut !ppell!nt did not #eed #is de(!nd. 7e t#us $iled t#e inst!nt "!se.
#e "ourt ! @uo "onvi"ted petitioner upon $indin* t#!t t#e prose"ution #!d su$$i"iently proven t#e essenti!l ele(ents o$ est!$!. 7en"e, t#is !ppe!l.
ISS'$:
#et#er t#e no'led*e on t#e insu$$i"ien"y o$ $unds ne*!tes t#e ele(ent o$ de"eit in est!$! t#rou*# &oun"in* "#e"s
&$%(:
4n t#e "!se o$ /!"#e"o v. ourt o$ ppe!ls, it '!s #eld t#!t t#ere is no est!$! t#rou*# &oun"in* "#e"s '#en it is s#o'n t#!t priv!te "o(pl!in!nt ne' t#!t t#e dr!'er did not #!ve su$$i"ient $unds in t#e &!n !t t#e ti(e t#e "#e" '!s issued to #i(. %u"# no'led*e ne*!tes t#e ele(ent o$ de"eit !nd "onstitutes ! de$ense in est!$! t#rou*# &oun"in* "#e"s.
4n t#e "!se !t &!r, priv!te "o(pl!in!nt ne' t#!t !ppell!nt did not only #!ve insu$$i"ient $undsF #e ne' #er NO !""ount '!s "losed !t t#e ti(e #e !lle*edly dis"ounted t#e su&+e"t "#e". #e eviden"e on re"ord s#o's t#!t priv!te "o(pl!in!nt deposited t#e NO "#e" d!ted u*ust 31, 199= to #is etro&!n !""ount on %epte(&er 1, 199=. On t#e neDt d!y, etro&!n returned t#e instru(ent 'it# t#e not!tion :""ount losed.; 7en"e, !s e!rly !s %epte(&er 2, 199= priv!te "o(pl!in!nt !lre!dy ne' t#!t !ppell!nt<s NO ""ount #!d &een "losed.
4$ t#e su&+e"t "#e" '!s issued to #i( in Ce&ru!ry 1998, !s #e !lle*es, !t t#e ti(e #e !lre!dy ne' t#!t t#e NO !""ount '#ere t#e su&+e"t NO "#e" is "#!r*ed '!s "losed. #e NO "#e"s on re"ord !re irre$r!*!&le pie"es o$ eviden"e t#!t priv!te "o(pl!in!nt ne' t#e NO !""ount '!s "losed.
ppell!nt issued t#e su&+e"t "#e" in p!y(ent o$ ! pre)eDistin* o&li*!tion. #en t#e NO !""ount '!s "losed on !r"# 26, 199=, priv!te "o(pl!in!nt !lre!dy #!d in #is possession t#e NO "#e" in @uestion. 4t '!s one o$ t#e 16 NO "#e"s previously issued &y priv!te "o(pl!in!nt &e$ore t#e "losure o$ t#e NO !""ount. No de"eit or d!(!*e !ttended t#e tr!ns!"tion. #ere &ein* none in t#e "!se !t &!r, t#ere "!n &e no est!$!.
#e %upre(e ourt !"@uitted lo(! Reyes o$ est!$!. #e !ss!iled senten"e o$ t#e Re*ion!l ri!l ourt '!s reversed !nd set !side. #e "!se '!s re(!nded to t#e "ourt ! @uo $or t#e deter(in!tion o$ !ppell!nt<s "ivil li!&ility.
