AIR FRANCE vs.

CARRASCOSO 18 SCRA 155 SANCHEZ; Sep 28, 1966 (athe) NATURE: Review on ce tio a i FACTS Ca a!co!o, a civi" en#inee , wa! a $e$%e o& a # o'p o& (8 )i"ipino pi"# i$! that "e&t *ani"a &o +o' ,e! on *a ch -., 1958/ 0n *a ch 28, 1958, the ,e&en,ant, Ai ) ance, th o'#h it! a'tho i1e, a#ent, 2hi"ippine Ai +ine!, 3nc/, i!!'e, to p"ainti&& a 4&i !t c"a!!4 o'n, t ip ai p"ane tic5et & o$ *ani"a to Ro$e/ ) o$ *ani"a to 6an#5o5, p"ainti&& t ave"e, in 4&i !t c"a!!4, %'t at 6an#5o5, the *ana#e o& the ,e&en,ant ai "ine &o ce, p"ainti&& to vacate the 4&i !t c"a!!4 !eat that he wa! occ'p7in# %eca'!e, in the wo ,! o& the witne!! E ne!to 8/ C'ento, the e wa! a 4white $an4, who, the *ana#e a""e#e,, ha, a 4%ette i#ht to the !eat/ 9hen a!5e, to vacate hi! 4&i !t c"a!!4 !eat, the p"ainti&&, a! wa! to %e e:pecte,, e&'!e,, an, to", ,e&en,ant4! *ana#e that hi! !eat wo'", %e ta5en ove hi! ,ea, %o,7; a co$$otion en!'e,; p"ainti&& e"'ctant"7 #ave hi! 4&i !t c"a!!4 !eat in the p"ane/ A&te t an!&e in# to the to' i!t c"a!! !eat, one &"i#ht atten,ant app oache, hi$ an, e;'e!te, & o$ hi$ hi! tic5et an, !ai, that !he wi"" note o& hi! t an!&e / He e&'!e, %eca'!e &o hi$ it i! tanta$o'nt to acceptin# hi! t an!&e / +ate , he went to the pant 7 that wa! ne:t to hi$ an, the p' !e wa! the e/ He to", hi$ that he eco ,e, the inci,ent in hi! note%oo5/ He ea, it an, t an!"ate, to hi$ < %eca'!e it wa! eco ,e, in ) ench/ < =)i !t c"a!! pa!!en#e wa! &o ce, to #o to the to' i!t c"a!! a#ain!t hi! wi"", an, that the captain e&'!e, to inte vene/= Ca a!co!o, ,' in# t ia", inc"',e, thi! inci,ent in hi! te!ti$on7/ ISSUES 1/90N Ca a!co!o wa! entit"e, to the &i !t c"a!! !eat he c"ai$!

2/ 90N the CA e e, in &in,in# that the p' !e $a,ean ent 7 in hi! note%oo5! ea,in# =)i !t c"a!! pa!!en#e wa! &o ce, to #o to the to' i!t c"a!! a#ain!t hi! wi"", an, that the captain e&'!e, to inte vene= i! p e,icate, 'pon evi,ence which i! inco$petent, the e&o e not a,$i!!i%"e (because the defendant was saying that the best evidence in this case is the entry and not the testimony) HELD 1/ >ES/ ?he te!ti$on7 o& the ,e&en,ant@! witne!!e! that the i!!'ance o& &i !t c"a!! tic5et wa! no #'a antee that the pa!!en#e wo'", have a &i !t c"a!! i,e, %'t !'ch wo'", ,epen, 'pon the avai"a%i"it7 o& &i !t c"a!! !eat cannot ho", wate / 0 a" evi,ence cannot p evai" ove w itten evi,ence, in thi! ca!e, the &i !t c"a!! tic5et! o& the p"ainti&& witho't an7 e!e vation whateve an, even $a 5e, with 0A, $eanin# con&i $e,/ 2/ N0/ ?he !'%Bect o& in;'i 7 i! not the ent 7, %'t the o'!te inci,ent/ ?e!ti$on7 o& the ent 7 ,oe! not co$e within the p o!c iption o& the %e!t evi,ence '"e/ S'ch te!ti$on7 i! a,$i!!i%"e/ 6e!i,e!, & o$ a ea,in# o& the t an!c ipt B'!t ;'ote,, when the ,ia"o#'e happene,, the i$pact o& the !ta t"in# occ' ence wa! !ti"" & e!h an, contin'e, to %e &e"t/ ?he e:cite$ent ha, not a! 7et ,ie, ,own/ State$ent! then, in thi! envi on$ent, a e a,$i!!i%"e a! pa t o& the e! #e!tae/ )o , the7 # ow =o't o& the ne vo'! e:cite$ent an, $enta" an, ph7!ica" con,ition o& the ,ec"a ant=/ ?he 'tte ance o& the p' !e e#a ,in# hi! ent 7 in the note%oo5 wa! !pontaneo'!, an, e"ate, to the ci c'$!tance! o& the o'!te inci,ent/ 3t! t '!two thine!! ha! %een #'a antee,/ 3t th'! e!cape! the ope ation o& the hea !a7 '"e/ 3t &o $! pa t o& the e! #e!tae/ *o eove , i& it we e ea""7 t 'e that no !'ch ent 7 wa! $a,e, the ,epo!ition o& the p' !e co'", have c"ea e, 'p the $atte / DISPOSITION: Ceci!ion o& CA a&&i $e,/

NAPOCOR v. HON. RAMON G. CODILLA, JR. [BANGPAI SHIPPING COMPANY, & WALLEM SHIPPING, INC.] 8/R/ No/ 1D.(91 CH3C0ENAZAR30; Ap i" (, 2..D (e,e") Nat !": Ce tio a i 'n,e R'"e (5 Fa#ts: E*FG Ci%ena 9in, a ve!!e" o& &o ei#n e#i!t 7 owne, an, ope ate, %7 6an#pai a""e#e,"7 %'$pe, an, ,a$a#e, NA20C0R@! 2owe 6a #e 2.9 which wa! then $oo e, at the Ce%' 3nte nationa" 2o t/ ENA20C0R then &i"e, %e&o e the Ce%' R?C a co$p"aint &o ,a$a#e! a#ain!t 6an#pai &o the a""e#e, ,a$a#e! ca'!e, on the powe %a #e!/ ENA20C0R &i"e, an A$en,e, Co$p"aint ,ate, 8 H'"7 1996 i$p"ea,in# 9a""e$ a! a,,itiona" ,e&en,ant, conten,in# that the "atte i! a !hip a#ent o& 6an#pai/ E6an#pai I 9a""e$ &i"e, thei e!pective *otion! to Ci!$i!! which we e ,enie, %7 H/ Co,i""a/ ENA20C0R a&te a,,'cin# evi,ence ,' in# the t ia" o& the ca!e, &i"e, a &o $a" o&&e o& evi,ence %e&o e the "owe co' t con!i!tin# o& E:hi%it! =A= to =G= to#ethe with the !'%E$a 5e, po tion! the eo&/ Con!e;'ent"7, 6an#pai an, 9a""e$ &i"e, thei e!pective o%Bection! to !ai, &o $a" o&&e o& evi,ence/ E H/ Co,i""a ,enie, (th o'#h an o ,e ) the a,$i!!ion an, e:c"',in# & o$ the eco ,! NA20C0R@! E:hi%it! =A=, =C=, =C=, =E=, =H= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =3=, =H= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =A=, =+=, =*= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =N= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =0=, =2= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =J= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!, =R= an, =S= an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!/ EAcco ,in# to the co' t a ;'o: K?he eco , !how! that the p"ainti&& ha! %een #iven eve 7 oppo t'nit7 to p e!ent the o i#ina"! o& the Le o: o photocopie! o& the ,oc'$ent! it o&&e e,/ 3t neve p o,'ce, the o i#ina"!/ ?he p"ainti&& atte$pte, to B'!ti&7 the a,$i!!ion o& the photocopie! %7 conten,in# that =the photocopie!

o&&e e, a e e;'iva"ent to the o i#ina" o& the ,oc'$ent= M:::Mthe Le o: copie! ,o not con!tit'te the e"ect onic evi,ence ,e&ine, in Section 1 o& R'"e 2 o& the R'"e! on E"ect onic Evi,enceM:::M Howeve , the!e e:c"',e, evi,ence !ho'", %e attache, to the eco ,! o& thi! ca!e to ena%"e the appe""ate co' t to pa!! 'pon the$ !ho'", an appea" %e ta5en & o$ the ,eci!ion on the $e it! to %e en,e e, 'pon the te $ination o& the t ia" o& thi! ca!e/K E NA20C0R@! *R wa! ,enie, an, !o the &i"e, a petition &o Ce tio a i via R6( %e&o e the Co' t o& Appea"! $aintainin# that H/ Co,i""a acte, with 8AC a$o'ntin# to "ac5 o e:ce!! o& B' i!,iction in ,en7in# the a,$i!!ion o& it! e:hi%it! an, it! !'%E$a 5in#!/ E CA ,i!$i!!e, the petition a! it appea e, that the e wa! no !'&&icient !howin# %7 NA20C0R that the e wa! 8AC/ 3t appea e, that the piece! o& ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence which we e ,enie, a,$i!!ion we e not p ope "7 i,enti&ie, %7 an7 co$petent witne!!/ A"!o, the7 &o'n, that the B',#e acte, within the pa"e o& hi! ,i!c etion when he ,enie, a,$i!!ion o& !ai, ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence &o in Sec - o& R'"e 1-. o& the RoC, when the !'%Bect o& in;'i 7 a e the content! o& ,oc'$ent!, no evi,ence !ha"" %e a,$i!!i%"e othe than the o i#ina" ,oc'$ent! the$!e"ve!, e:cept in ce tain ca!e! !peci&ica""7 !o en'$e ate, the ein, an, the petitione ha! not !hown that the nonEp e!entation o nonEp o,'ction o& it! o i#ina" ,oc'$enta 7 piece! o& evi,ence &a""! 'n,e !'ch e:ception!/ +a!t"7, the CA !ai, that the in&o $ation (in !ai, e:hi%it!) we e not eceive,, et ieve, o p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7 an, that NA20C0R ha, not p ope "7 a'thenticate, !'ch evi,ence a! e"ect onic ,oc'$ent!/ E Hence, the in!tant petition whe ein NA20C0R in!i!t! that the photocopie! it p e!ente, a! ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence act'a""7 con!tit'te e"ect onic evi,ence %a!e, on it! own p e$i!e that an =e"ect onic ,oc'$ent= a! ,e&ine, 'n,e Section 1(h), R'"e 2 o& the R'"e! on

E"ect onic Evi,ence i! not "i$ite, to in&o $ation that i! eceive,, eco ,e,, et ieve, o p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7/ Rathe , =e"ect onic ,oc'$ent= can a"!o e&e to othe $o,e! o& w itten e:p e!!ion that i! p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7, !'ch a! photocopie!, a! inc"',e, in the !ectionN! catchEa"" p ovi!o: =an7 p into't o o'tp't, ea,a%"e %7 !i#ht o othe $ean!=/ ISSUE: 90N the photocopie! a e in,ee, e"ect onic ,oc'$ent! a! conte$p"ate, in RA No/ 8D92 o the 3RR o& the E"ect onic Co$$e ce Act, a! we"" a! the R'"e! on E"ect onic Evi,enceF 90N !ai, e"ect onic ,oc'$ent! ;'a"i&7 'n,e the one o& the e:ception! o& 6e!t Evi,ence R'"e !o that tho!e $a7 %e a,$itte, a! ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence HELD: N0FN0/ R"as$%&%': EA pe '!a" o& the in&o $ation containe, in the photocopie! !'%$itte, %7 NA20C0R wi"" evea" that not a"" o& the content! the ein, !'ch a! the !i#nat' e! o& the pe !on! who p' po te,"7 !i#ne, the ,oc'$ent!, $a7 %e eco ,e, o p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7/ 67 no !t etch o& the i$a#ination can a pe !on@! !i#nat' e a&&i:e, $an'a""7 %e con!i,e e, a! in&o $ation e"ect onica""7 eceive,, eco ,e,, t an!$itte,, !to e,, p oce!!e,, et ieve, o p o,'ce,/ E Acco ,in# to the SC, the ?C ,i, not co$$it an e o when it ,enie, the a,$i!!i%i"it7 o& the photocopie! a! ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence a! Napoco &ai"e, to e!ta%"i!h that it! o&&e &a""! 'n,e the e:ception! (a! he ein en'$e ate,)/ B"st Ev&("%#" R )" 9hen the o i#ina" ,oc'$ent ha! %een "o!t o ,e!t o7e,, o cannot %e p o,'ce, in co' t, the o&&e o , 'pon p oo& o& it! e:ec'tion o e:i!tence an, the ca'!e o& it! 'navai"a%i"it7 witho't %a, &aith on hi! pa t, $a7 p ove it! content! %7 a cop7, o %7 a ecita" o& it!

content! in !o$e a'thentic ,oc'$ent, o %7 the te!ti$on7 o& witne!!e! in the o ,e !tate,/ ?he o&&e o o& !econ,a 7 evi,ence i! %' ,ene, to p ove the p e,icate! the eo&: (a) the "o!! o ,e!t 'ction o& the o i#ina" witho't %a, &aith on the pa t o& the p oponentFo&&e o which can %e !hown %7 ci c'$!tantia" evi,ence o& o'tine p actice! o& ,e!t 'ction o& ,oc'$ent!; (%) the p oponent $'!t p ove %7 a &ai p epon,e ance o& evi,ence a! to ai!e a ea!ona%"e in&e ence o& the "o!! o ,e!t 'ction o& the o i#ina" cop7; an, (c) it $'!t %e !hown that a ,i"i#ent an, %ona &i,e %'t 'n!'cce!!&'" !ea ch ha! %een $a,e &o the ,oc'$ent in the p ope p"ace o p"ace!/ E Hi!to 7 o& 6ER: 6e&o e the on!et o& "i%e a" '"e! o& ,i!cove 7, an, $o,e n techni;'e o& e"ect onic cop7in#, the %e!t evi,ence '"e wa! ,e!i#ne, to #'a , a#ain!t inco$p"ete o & a','"ent p oo& an, the int o,'ction o& a"te e, copie! an, the withho",in# o& the o i#ina"!/ 6't the $o,e n B'!ti&ication &o the '"e ha! e:pan,e, & o$ the p evention o& & a', to a eco#nition that w itin#! occ'p7 a cent a" po!ition in the "aw/ ?he i$po tance o& the p eci!e te $! o& w itin#! in the wo ", o& "e#a" e"ation!, the &a""i%i"it7 o& the h'$an $e$o 7 a! e"ia%"e evi,ence o& the te $!, an, the ha1a ,! o& inacc' ate o inco$p"ete ,'p"icate a e the conce n! a,, e!!e, %7 the %e!t evi,ence '"e/ (+ee v/ 2 o& the 2hi"!) -DEFINITION: *")"#t!$%&# ($# +"%t* e&e ! to in&o $ation o the ep e!entation o& in&o $ation, ,ata, &i#' e!, !7$%o"! o othe $o,e"! o& w itten e:p e!!ion, ,e!c i%e, o howeve ep e!ente,, %7 which a i#ht i! e!ta%"i!he, o an o%"i#ation e:tin#'i!he,, o %7 which a &act $a7 %e p ove, an, a&&i $e,, which i! eceive,, eco ,e,, t an!$itte,, !to e,, p oce!!e,, et ieve, o p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7/ 3t inc"',e! ,i#ita""7 !i#ne, ,oc'$ent! an, an7 p into't, ea,a%"e %7 !i#ht o othe $ean! which acc' ate"7 e&"ect! the e"ect onic ,ata $e!!a#e o e"ect onic ,oc'$ent/

E?he '"e! '!e the wo , =in&o $ation= to ,e&ine an e"ect onic ,oc'$ent eceive,, eco ,e,, t an!$itte,, !to e,, p oce!!e,, et ieve, o p o,'ce, e"ect onica""7/ ?hi! wo'", !'##e!t that an e"ect onic ,oc'$ent i! e"evant on"7 in te $! o& the in&o $ation containe, the ein, !i$i"a to an7 othe ,oc'$ent which i! p e!ente, in evi,ence a! p oo& o& it! content!/ Howeve , what differentiates an e ectronic document from a !a!er-based document is the manner by which the information is !rocessed" c ear y# the information contained in an e ectronic document is received# recorded# transmitted# stored# !rocessed# retrieved or !roduced e ectronica y$ O N0?E: 3t wa! a"!o !ai, that NA20C0R contin'e, to o%,' ate"7 ,i! e#a , the oppo t'nitie! #iven %7 the ?C &o it to p e!ent the o i#ina"! o& the photocopie! it p e!ente, 6P? at the SC it p a7e, that it %e a""owe, to p e!ent the o i#ina"! o& the e:hi%it! that we e ,enie, a,$i!!ion o in ca!e the !a$e a e "o!t, to "a7 the p e,icate &o the a,$i!!ion o& !econ,a 7 evi,ence/ Howeve , SC ,enie, !ai, p a7e / DISPOSITI,E: 2etition CEN3EC/ CA CEC3S30N o& 9 Nove$%e 2..5 A))3R*EC/ Co!t! a#ain!t petitione /
P"$-)" vs D")+"%($ .N$v"+/"! 01, 23425 +'i! an, )"o entino Ce"$en,o have vo"'ntee e, to ,onate thei %"oo, to A"& e,o 6'ccat who ha, ,ie, in hi! ho'!e/ +'i! i! acc'!e, o& $' ,e / ?he a&&i,avit! o& *a#,a"ena 6'ccat, wi&e, an, !on E"pi,io we e #iven 16 ,a7! a&te the !hootin#/ ?he7 we e cha #e, with *' ,e ;'a"i&ie, %7 t eache 7/ *iti#atin# ci c'$!tance o& , 'n5enne!! to o&&!et a## aviatin# ci c'$!tance o& ,we""in#/ +i&e i$p i!on$ent Q $o a" ,a$a#e!, e:e$p"a 7 ,a$a#e!/ ?wo acc'!e, appea"e, %'t we e e oneo'!"7 t an!$itte, to CA/ E o ! a!!i#ne,: a/ 3n &in,in# ,i!tance o& 9 $ete ! when +'i! &i e, at the ,ecea!e,/

%/ +'i! wa! po!itive &o pow,e %' n! c/ E o in po!itive i,enti&ication o& %oth acc'!e, an, that the ,e&en!e o& a"i%i i! wea5 ,/ ?hat )"o entino con!pi e,/ e/ Conviction o& c i$e o& $' ,e ;'a"i&ie,/ ?he7 we e , in5in# %a!i that *a#,a"ena !e ve, to the wo 5e ! which he"pe, epai the ho'!e o& *a#,a"ena an, A"& e,o/ ?hen )"o entino ha, a ;'a e" with % othe )e,e ico an, the7 a"$o!t %o"oe, each othe / *a#,a"ena a,vi!e, )e,e ico to #o ho$e to which )"o entino "e&t !o e at he &o !en,in# hi! % othe ho$e/ 9hi"e havin# ,inne with &a$i"7 the acc'!e, went 'p to the ho'!e whi"e )"o entino !too, %e!i,e A"& e,o/ ?hen he vo$ite, ca'!in# the !po'!e! to co$p"ain/ Acc'!e, "e&t/ A&te !'ppe the7 !hot A"& e,o/ ?he p incipa" witne!!e! &o the p o!ec'tion a e *a#,a"ena 6'ccat, the wi,ow, an, E"pi,io 6'ccat, !on o& the victi$/ +'i! wa! po!itive in the pa a&&in te!t/ )"o entino wa! ne#ative/ Ce&en!e te!ti$on7: )"o entino wa! ca""e, %7 +'i! to epai the "atte @! %i5e/ A&te &i:in#, the7 went to the !to e o& *a#,a"ena an, ha, a , in5/ ?he7 went on thei wa7 to the ho'!e o& the %a io captain/ ?e!ti$onie! &o the ,e&en!e: 6a io captain 6a"en: Hea , the #'n!hot! an, p ocee,e, 'pon %ein# to", %7 chi", en that 2i,on# wa! !hot/ He % o'#ht the victi$ to the ho!pita"/ 6oth acc'!e, we e at the ho!pita" %'t he ,i,n@t 5now what the7 we e ,oin# the e/ 2e, o Ga"$onte: %a io co'nci"$an o& A#tipa": he hea , #'n!hot! an, he"pe, in "oa,in# victi$ to the ti 5e/ He !tate, & o$ *a#,a"ena an, E"pi,io i& the7 5new the a!!ai"ant! an, the7 ep"ie, in the ne#ative/ R?C conc"'!ion: +'i! an, )"o entino we e #'i"t7/ 2o!itive"7 i,enti&ie, %7 the witne!!e!, i,entit7 co o%o ate, %7 Co" *ina ,o )inone! %eca'!e o& po!itive &o pow,e %' n!/

?he te!ti$onie! o& *a#,a"ena an, E"pi,io, even i& the7 a e the wi,ow an, !on, e!pective"7, o& the ,ecea!e, co o%o ate each othe in an e!pect!/ ?he7 have %een !hown not to %e pe B' e, an, no $otive o ea!on wa! eve &aint"7 !'##e!te, wh7 the7 wi"" pe B' e thei te!ti$onie!/ 3n,ee,, the acc'!e, hi$!e"& a,$itte, that %e&o e the inci,ent, the7 we e in the %e!t o& te $! with the ,ecea!e,/ A!i,e & o$ the!e, the te!ti$on7 o& *a#,a"ena an, E"pi,io o& the !hootin# a! we"" a! the p"ace whe e +'i! &i e, & o$ wa! &' the !'%!tantiate, %7 the te!ti$on7 o& po"ice Co po a" *o,e!to E!peBo who te!ti&ie, that he ecove e, !i: e$pt7 !he""! the eat p"'! a !"'# e$%e,,e, on the & a$e o& the ea!te n win,ow o& the # o'n, &"oo o& the victi$4! ho'!e Iss ": 90N the te!ti$onie! o& the wi,ow an, !on e"ative to the i,entit7 o& the $a"e&acto ! cannot %e %e"ieve, an, e"ie, 'pon/ a/ Ca 5 an, ,i&&ic'"t &o he to eco#ni1e/ %/ She !ai, !he !aw one o& the acc'!e, ai$ the #'n at h'!%an, %'t ,i, not !ho't a wa nin# c/ ?hat !he wa! a%"e to eco#ni1e the co"o ! o& the !hi t!/ ,/ ?hat when inve!ti#ate, !he ,i, not even $ention the na$e! o& the acc'!e,/ HELD6 >e!, the7 cannot %e %e"ieve,/ 3n convictin# the two acc'!e, &o the $' ,e o& the victi$ in thi! ca!e, the conviction $'!t %e %a!e, on evi,ence that i! c"ea , po!itive an, !t on# c eatin# a $o a" ce taint7 a! to the #'i"t o& the acc'!e,/ ?he cha #e a#ain!t the$ $'!t %e p ove, %e7on, ea!ona%"e ,o'%t/ Since the two a""e#e, e7ewitne!!e! to the co$$i!!ion o& the c i$e a e the wi,ow an, !on o& the victi$, thei te!ti$onie! pointin# to the acc'!e, a! the pe pet ato ! $'!t %e !'%Becte, to a i#i, te!t which !ho'", ,e$on!t ate %e7on, cavi" thei t 'th&'"ne!!, hone!t7 an, ectit',e a! act'a" e7ewitne!!e! to the pe pet ation o& the c i$ina" act/ ?he e $'!t neve %e an7 !ha,ow o& ,o'%t, an7 c"o', o& !'!picion o ,eception to concea" the &act! an, ,i!#'i!e the t 'th/ ?he &i !t, i& not the %a!ic &o'n,ation 'pon which the p o!ec'tion %'i",! it! ca!e a#ain!t the acc'!e, i! p oo& %e7on, ea!ona%"e ,o'%t that it i! the !ai, acc'!e, who

co$$itte, the c i$e cha #e,/ 3n othe wo ,!, the 3,entit7 o& the acc'!e, i! the &i !t ,'t7 o& the p o!ec'tion/ 9hat i! the '"e in c i$ina" "aw B' i!p ',ence in !i$i"a o ana"o#o'! ca!e! whe e the e i! ,e"a7 o &ai"' e to i,enti&7 the acc'!e, at the ea "ie!t oppo t'nit7R 2eop"e v! 6a;'i an: The natura reaction of one who witnesses a crime and recogni%es the offender is to revea it to the authorities at the ear iest o!!ortunity/ S'!picion i! no i,enti&ication/ 2eop"e v! C'nanan: ?he nat' a" eaction o& one who witne!!e! a c i$e i! to evea" it to the a'tho itie! 'n"e!!, o& co' !e, he i! the a'tho the eo&/ 3t ,e&ie! c e,'"it7 that not one o two %'t &ive !'ch witne!!e! $a,e no e&&o t to e:po!e C'nanan i& the7 ea""7 5new that he wa! the a'tho the eo& ?hi! !t'"ti&ie, !i"ence ca!t! # ave ,o'%t! a! to thei ve acit7/(?he e !ho'", %e a va"i, e:p"anation a! to wh7 2eop"e@! witne!!e! ,i, not epo t the i,entit7 ,' in# a "on# pe io, o& ti$e)/ 2eop"e v! Ro:a!: Ce"a7 o vaci""ation in $a5in# a c i$ina" acc'!ation ,oe! not nece!!a i"7 i$pai the c e,i%i"it7 o& the witne!!, i& !'ch ,e"a7 i! !ati!&acto i"7 e:p"aine,/ An, S#t/ Ca$i"o *a ;'e1, a !econ, co'!in o& the victi$ who too5 ove the inve!ti#ation & o$ Cp"/ E!peBo, ,i, not inte view the wi,ow a""e#e,"7 %eca'!e !he wa! c 7in#/ >et, the po"ice waite, 'nti" *a ch 1(, 1969, 16 ,a7! a&te the !hootin#, to e!'$e it! inve!ti#ation when the a&&i,avit! o& the witne!!e! we e ta5en, on"7 to %e !'%!c i%e, an, !wo n to 5 ,a7! the ea&te , on *a ch 19, 1969/ ) o$ thi! in,eci!ion an, he!itanc7, it can %e ea!ona%"7 in&e e, that the evi,ence then at han, wa! in!'&&icient an, ,o'%t&'" to &o $a""7 cha #e the acc'!e,/ Now, to the $otive/ 8ene a""7, p oo& o& $otive i! 'nnece!!a 7 to pin a c i$e on the acc'!e,, i& the evi,ence o& i,enti&ication i! convincin#; howeve , whe e the p oo& o& i,enti&ication i! not convincin#, then p oo& o& $otive i! nece!!a 7/ *otive to 5i"" a!!'$e! pe tinence on"7 when the e i! ,o'%t a! to the i,entit7 o& the c'"p it, (2eop"e v!/ Sa"e!, (( SCRA (89; 2eop"e v!/ 6a!'e", (( SCRA 2.D)/ 2 oo& o& $otive i! i$po tant in 5nowin#

the ea!on! &o the co$$i!!ion o& a c i$ina" act/ (2eop"e v!/ C'!to,ia (D SCRA 289)/ A%!ence o& $otive i! i$po tant in ,ete $inin# the t 'th a! %etween con&"ictin# ve !ion! o& the inci,ent o%Bect o& the acc'!ation/ 3n,ee,, the in!'&&icienc7 o& the $otive, na7 it! i$p o%a%i"it7 %7 no $a" !tan,a ,!, wea5en! the p o!ec'tion4! i,enti&ication o& the acc'!e,/ 3n &act, it !t en#then! the ,e&en!e c"ai$ that the acc'!e, we e not the a!!ai"ant!/ A"i%i i! a wea5 ,e&en!e that cannot p evai" ove po!itive i,enti&ication o& the acc'!e, %7 e7ewitne!!e! (2eop"e v!/ E!t oca,a D5 SCRA 295; 2eop"e v!/ Ronca" D9 SCRA 5.9)/ A"i%i a!!'$e! i$po tance whe e evi,ence &o p o!ec'tion i! wea5 an, %et a7! "ac5 o& conc etene!! on ;'e!tion o& whethe o not the acc'!e, co$$itte, the c ane cha #e,/ An acc'!e, cannot %e convicte, on the %a!i! o& evi,ence which, in,epen,ent"7 o& hi! a"i%i i! wea5, 'nco o%o ate,, an, inconc"'!ive/ ?he '"e that a"i%i $'!t %e !ati!&acto i"7 p oven wa! neve inten,e, to chan#e the %' ,en o& p oo& in c i$ina" ca!e!; othe wi!e, the e wo'", %e the a%!' ,it7 o& an acc'!e, %ein# p't in a $o e ,i&&ic'"t po!ition whe e the p o!ec'tion4! evi,ence i! va#'e an, wea5 than whe e it i! !t on#/ ReE!tate, othe wi!e, the wea5ne!! o& the ,e&en!e o& a"i%i ,oe! not e"ieve the p o!ec'tion o& the e;'i e, %' ,en o& p oo&/ (2eop"e v!/ A;'ino, 9- SCRA D4. 2; 2eop"e v!/ Sa"a1a , 9- SCRA D96)/ An, a"tho'#h a"i%i i! the wea5e!t ,e&en!e that an acc'!e, can avai" o&, it ac;'i e! co$$en!' ate !t en#th whe e no po!itive an, p ope i,enti&ication ha! %een $a,e %7 the witne!!e! o& the o&&en,e / ?he p o!ec'tion ha! the onus !robandi in e!ta%"i!hin# the #'i"t o& the acc'!e, an, the wea5ne!! o& the ,e&en!e ,oe! not e"ieve it o& thi! e!pon!i%i"it7/ 9hi"e the ,e&en!e o& a"i%i & e;'ent"7 ,e!e ve! "itt"e con!i,e ation %eca'!e it i! ea!i"7 &a% icate,, it i! not a"wa7! &a"!e an, witho't $e it (2eop"e v!/ 2'"$one!, 61 2hi"/ 68.) a! in the ca!e at han,, an, when co'p"e, with the i$p o%a%i"itie! an, 'nce taintie! o& the p o!ec'tion evi,ence, !'&&ice to ai!e ea!ona%"e ,o'%t a! to thei e!pon!i%i"it7/

9e $'!t ac;'it the two acc'!e, not %eca'!e thei ,e&en!e o& a"i%i i! wea5, a"tho'#h !'ch ,e&en!e ha! ac;'i e, co$$en!' ate !t en#th ,'e to &ai"' e o& po!itive an, p ope i,enti&ication o& the o&&en,e ! %7 the witne!!e!, %'t on the # o'n, that the p o!ec'tion ha! &ai"e, to ,i!cha #e it! e!pon!i%i"it7 o& p ovin# thei #'i"t %e7on, ea!ona%"e ,o'%t/ )o in,ee,, the ,'t7 o& the p o!ec'tion to p ove the #'i"t o& the acc'!e, %e7on, pe a,vent' e o& ,o'%t i! a p i$a 7 one, an, 'nti" an, 'n"e!! !'ch ,'t7 ha! %een pe &o $e,, the con!tit'tiona" p e!'$ption o& innocence to which the acc'!e, i! entit"e, $'!t %e 'phe",, whethe hi! ,e&en!e o& a"i%i i! wea5 o !t on#/ 9hi"e the p o!ec'tion i! not e;'i e, to !'%$it !'ch a ,e# ee o& p oo& a!, e:c"',in# po!!i%i"it7 o& e o , p o,'ce! a%!o"'te ce taint7 %'t on"7 $o a" ce taint7 i! e;'i e,, o that ,e# ee o& p oo& which p o,'ce! conviction in an 'np eB',ice, $in,/ ?hat the p e!ence o& #'npow,e e!i,'e (nit ate!) on %oth han,! o& the acc'!e, +'i! ,o not conc"'!ive"7 p ove that he ha, ecent"7 &i e, a #'n i! a,$itte, %7 the 2/C/ e:pe t, Co"/ *ina ,o )inone! who te!ti&ie, a"!o &o the ,e&en!e/ ?he $o!t !i#ni&icant te!ti$on7 o& Co"/ )inone! i! that the e i! no ,i&&e ence in !i1e %etween #'npow,e e!i,'e an, one ca'!e, %7 con!tant han,"in# o& che$ica"! (t/!/n/, p/ -59, *a ch 5, 19D. Hea in#) an, that the contin'e, han,"in# o& che$ica"! containin# nit ate!, pota!!i'$ nit ate, !o,i'$ nit ate an, a$$oni'$ nit ate wi"" #ive cha acte i!tic co"o o& %"'e !pec5! on a pe !on han,"in# !ai, che$ica"! (t/!/n/, p/ -62, *a ch 5, 19D. Hea in#); an, that one who &i e, a #'n $a7 #ive a ne#ative e!'"t an, a"!o one who ,i, not act'a""7 &i e a #'n i! ne#ative &o pa a&&in te!t %eca'!e acco ,in# to hi$, =the e i! a &a"!e po!itive an, a &a"!e ne#ative/ )a"!e ne#ative i! when he &i e, a #'n an, i! ne#ative &o pa a&&in te!t; an, &a"!e po!itive when he neve &i e, a #'n %'t i! po!itive &o pa a&&in te!t/ 9h7 %eca'!e he ha! %een han,"in# !o$e che$ica"! "i5e pota!!i'$ nit ate an, a$$oni'$ ch"o i,e, ,epen,in# on the e:tent o& conta$ination/ Nat' a""7 when te!te, with ,7phen7"Ea$in ea#ent!, it wi"" !how cha acte i!tic! o& %"'e !pec5!, an, thi! i! !i$i"a to #'npow,e %' n!/= C&t&/a%7 vs Sa/"%&a%$ .O#t$/"! 28, 09985

2etition &o Review on Ce tio a i 'n,e R'"e (5 o& the Ceci!ion o& CA/ Citi%an5 (p ev )NC6) "aw! o& A$e ica "icen!e, to ,o co$$e cia" %an5in# an, pe &o $ t '!t &'nction in the 2hi"/ 3nve!to @! )inance Co p, a&&i"iate an, !'%!i,ia 7 o& Citi, han,"in# $one7 $a 5et p"ace$ent! &o it! c"ient!/ 3)C ()NC6 )inance) i! now ,oin# %'!ine!! a! pa t o& it! !'cce!!o EinEinte e!t 623/ Sa%enianoEc"inet o& %oth Citi an, )NC6 )inance/ A'#'!t 1985, e!p &i"e, co$p"aint < $a,e !'%!tantia" ,epo!it! an, $one7 $a 5et p"ace$ent! with petitione ! a! we"" a! $one7 $a 5et p"ace$ent! with A3CC (A7a"a 3nve!t an, Cev Co p) an, the p ocee,! & o$ A3CC we e !'ppo!e,"7 ,epo!ite, a'to$atica""7 an, ,i ect"7 to e!p@! acco'nt! with Citi/ Citi, a! e!p !ai,, e&'!e, to et' n he ,epo!it! an, the p ocee,! o& he **2 ,e!pite epeate, ,e$an,! th'! the cici" ca!e/ Citi an, )inance a,$itte, ,epo!it! an, **2 inc"i,in# ,o""a acco'nt with Citi 8eneva %'t that e!p o%taine, !eve a" "oan! & o$ Citi an, 2N! we e e:ec'te, an, !ec' e, %7: a/ Cec"a ation o 2"e,#e o& he ,o""a acco'nt in Citi 8eneva %/ Cee,! o& A!!in#n$ent with )NC6 )inance Re!p &ai"e, to pa7 he "oan! ,e!pite epeate, ,e$an,! an, Citi e:e ci!e, i#ht to o&&E!et o co$pen!ate o't!tan,in# "oan! with ,epo!it! p' !'ant to ,ec"a ation an, ,ee, o& a!!i#n/ Citi in&o $e, e!p th o'#h "ette !/ Si: 7ea ! "ate , e!p epeate, e;'e!t! &o with, awa" o& e!p ,epo!it! an, **2 inc"i,in# Citi #enva/ Citi an, )inanceE,i!$i!!a" an, &o ,a$a#e! an, att7! &ee!/ No co$p o$i!e ,' in# p et ia" hence t ia"/ 1. 7ea ! a&te , ,eci!ion wa! &ina""7 en,e e,/ H',#e Gito io: R?C *5ati: a/ 3""e#a", n'"" an, voi, o&&E!et on ,o""a ,epo!it with Citi 8eneva/ Re&'n, with "e#a" inte e!t/

%/ Re!p in,e%te, to %an5 &o 1*Q an, pa7 a$o'nt with no inte e!t an, pena"t7 & o$ ti$e o& i""e#a" o&&E!et/ c/ Ci!$i!! a"" othe c"ai$!/ 6oth appea"e,/ RE!p that !he i! not in,e%te, an, that R?C &ai"e, to o ,e CitiF)in to en,e acco'ntin# o& ,epo!it! an, **2/ CitiF)inanceSva"i, co$pen!ation %eca'!e o& Cec"a ation/ CA: a&&i $e, an, $o,i&ie,/ 1 an, 2 a&&i $e,/ A,,itiona": Citi &ai"e, to acco'nt **2, !avin#! acco'nt an, c' ent acco'nt!, hence et' n the !a$e evi,ence, %7 ce ti&icate! o& inve!t$ent!/ 3!!'e!: 1( a!!i#n$ent o& e o !/ 90N the e wa! an e o in B',#$ent/ He",: Not enti e"7/ SC a&&i $e, CA %'t with $o,i&ication/ As an exception to the general rule, this Court takes cognizance of questions of fact raised in the Petition at bar. 3t i! a" ea,7 a we""E!ett"e, '"e that the B' i!,iction o& thi! Co' t in ca!e! % o'#ht %e&o e it & o$ the Co' t o& Appea"! %7 vi t'e o& R'"e (5 o& the Revi!e, R'"e! o& Co' t i! "i$ite, to eviewin# e o ! o& "aw/ )in,in#! o& &act o& the Co' t o& Appea"! a e conc"'!ive 'pon thi! Co' t/ ?he e a e, howeve , eco#ni1e, e:ception! to the &o e#oin# '"e, na$e"7: (1) when the &in,in#! a e # o'n,e, enti e"7 on !pec'"ation, !' $i!e!, o conBect' e!; (2) when the inte &e ence $a,e i! $ani&e!t"7 $i!ta5en, a%!' ,, o i$po!!i%"e; (-) when the e i! # ave a%'!e o& ,i!c etion; (() when the B',#$ent i! %a!e, on a $i!app ehen!ion o& &act!; (5) when the &in,in#! o& &act a e con&"ictin#; (6) when in $a5in# it! &in,in#!, the Co' t o& Appea"! went %e7on, the i!!'e! o& the ca!e, o it! &in,in#! a e cont a 7 to the a,$i!!ion! o& %oth the appe""ant an, the appe""ee; (D) when the &in,in#! a e cont a 7 to tho!e o& the t ia" co' t; (8) when the &in,in#! a e conc"'!ion! witho't citation o& !peci&ic evi,ence on which the7 a e %a!e,; (9) when the &act! !et &o th in the petition a! we"" a! in the petitione 4! $ain an, ep"7 % ie&! a e not ,i!p'te, %7 the e!pon,ent; an, (1.) when the &in,in#! o& &act a e p e$i!e, on the !'ppo!e, a%!ence o& evi,ence an, cont a,icte, %7 the evi,ence on eco ,/

?hi! % in#! '! to the ;'e!tion o& whether the fact alone that the RTC Decision was rendered b a !udge other than the !udge who actuall heard and tried the case is sufficient !ustification for the appellate court to disregard or set aside the findings in the Decision of the court a quo" He",: No/ 9hat ,e!e ve! !t e!!in# i! that, in thi! B' i!,iction, the e e:i!t! a ,i!p'ta%"e p e!'$ption that the R?C Ceci!ion wa! en,e e, %7 the B',#e in the e#'"a pe &o $ance o& hi! o&&icia" ,'tie!/ 9hi"e the !ai, p e!'$ption i! on"7 ,i!p'ta%"e, it i! !ati!&acto 7 'n"e!! cont a,icte, o ove ca$e %7 othe evi,ence/29 Enco$pa!!e, in thi! p e!'$ption o& e#'"a it7 i! the p e!'$ption that the R?C B',#e, in e!o"vin# the ca!e an, , a&tin# hi! Ceci!ion, eviewe,, eva"'ate,, an, wei#he, a"" the evi,ence on eco ,/ ?hat the !ai, R?C B',#e i! not the !a$e B',#e who hea , the ca!e an, eceive, the evi,ence i! o& "itt"e con!e;'ence when the eco ,! an, t an!c ipt! o& !teno# aphic note! (?SN!) a e co$p"ete an, avai"a%"e &o con!i,e ation %7 the &o $e / A"tho'#h it i! t 'e that the B',#e who hea , the witne!!e! te!ti&7 i! in a %ette po!ition to o%!e ve the witne!!e! on the !tan, an, ,ete $ine %7 thei ,e$eano whethe the7 a e te""in# the t 'th o $o'thin# &a"!ehoo,, it ,oe! not nece!!a i"7 &o""ow that a B',#e who wa! not p e!ent ,' in# the t ia" cannot en,e a va"i, ,eci!ion !ince he can e"7 on the t an!c ipt o& !teno# aphic note! ta5en ,' in# the t ia" a! %a!i! o& hi! ,eci!ion/ At an7 ate, the te!t to ,ete $ine the va"'e o& the te!ti$on7 o& the witne!! i! whethe o not !'ch i! in con&o $it7 with 5now"e,#e an, con!i!tent with the e:pe ience o& $an5in, (&eo! e vs$ 'orre, 21D SCRA 219 T199-U)/ )' the , the c e,i%i"it7 o& witne!!e! can a"!o %e a!!e!!e, on the %a!i! o& the !'%!tance o& thei te!ti$on7 an, the !' o'n,in# ci c'$!tance! (&eo! e v$ (on%a es, 21. SCRA (( T1992U)/ A c itica" eva"'ation o& the te!ti$on7 o& the p o!ec'tion witne!!e! evea"! that thei te!ti$on7 acco ,! with the a&o e$entione, te!t!, an, ca ie! with it the in# o& t 'th en, pe &o ce, $'!t %e #iven &'"" wei#ht an, c e,it/ )in,in# o& &act! o& the Co' t:

Citi%an5 i!!'e, 2N@! to ep"ace the one! which $at' e,/ 2etitione Citi%an5 ,i, not ,en7 the e:i!tence no ;'e!tione, the a'thenticit7 o& 2N! No/ 2--56 an, 2--5D it i!!'e, in &avo o& e!pon,ent &o he $one7 $a 5et p"ace$ent!/ 3n &act, it a,$itte, the #en'inene!! an, ,'e e:ec'tion o& the !ai, 2N!, %'t ;'a"i&ie, that the7 we e no "on#e o't!tan,in#/ 3n &act, the pa7$ent o& Citi, a! a""e#e, %7 the %an5, wa! '!e, %7 e!p to open two ti$e ,epo!it! (?C) with Citi/ 67 the a,$i!!ion o& the #en'inene!! an, ,'e e:ec'tion o& an in!t '$ent, a! p ovi,e, in thi! !ection, i! $eant that the pa t7 who!e !i#nat' e it %ea ! a,$it! that he !i#ne, it o that it wa! !i#ne, %7 anothe &o hi$ with hi! a'tho it7; that at the ti$e it wa! !i#ne, it wa! in wo ,! an, &i#' e! e:act"7 a! !et o't in the p"ea,in# o& the pa t7 e"7in# 'pon it; that the ,oc'$ent wa! ,e"ive e,; an, that an7 &o $a" e;'i!ite! e;'i e, %7 "aw, !'ch a! a !ea", an ac5now"e,#$ent, o even'e !ta$p, which it "ac5!, a e waive, %7 hi$/ Hence, !'ch ,e&en!e! a!: a/ that the !i#nat' e i! a &o #e 7

%/ o that it wa! 'na'tho i1e,, a! in the ca!e o& an a#ent !i#nin# &o hi! p incipa", o one !i#nin# in %eha"& o& a pa tne !hip o o& a co po ation c/ o that, in the ca!e o& the "atte , that the co po ation wa! a'tho i1e, 'n,e it! cha te to !i#n the in!t '$ent ,/ o that the pa t7 cha #e, !i#ne, the in!t '$ent in !o$e othe capacit7 than that a""e#e, in the p"ea,in# !ettin# it o't e/ o that it wa! neve

a e c't o&& %7 the a,$i!!ion o& it! #en'inene!! an, ,'e e:ec'tion/ ?he e&&ect o& the a,$i!!ion i! !'ch that in the ca!e o& a p o$i!!o 7 note a p i$a &acie ca!e i! $a,e &o the p"ainti&& which ,i!pen!e! with the nece!!it7 o& evi,ence on hi! pa t an, entit"e! hi$ to a B',#$ent on the p"ea,in#! 'n"e!! a !pecia" ,e&en!e o& new $atte , !'ch a! pa7$ent, i! inte po!e, %7 the ,e&en,ant/

Since #en'inene!! an, ,'e e:ec'tion a e 'nconte!te,, e!p wa! a%"e to e!ta%"i!h p i$a &acie that Citi i! "ia%"e to he &o the a$o'nt! !tate, the ein/ ?he a!!e tion o& Citi o& pa7$ent o& !ai, 2N i! an a&&i $ative a""e#ation o& a new $atte , the %' ,en o& p oo& a! to !'ch e!t on Citi/ Re!p p ove, the e:i!tence o& the o%"i#ation, %' ,en o& p oo& wa! 'pon Citi that ha, %een ,i!cha #e,/ A! a #ene a" '"e, one who p"ea,! pa7$ent ha! the %' ,en o& p ovin# it/ Even whe e the p"ainti&& $'!t a""e#e nonEpa7$ent, the #ene a" '"e i! that the %' ,en e!t! on the ,e&en,ant to p ove pa7$ent, athe than on the p"ainti&& to p ove nonEpa7$ent/ ?he ,e%to ha! the %' ,en o& !howin# with "e#a" ce taint7 that the o%"i#ation ha! %een ,i!cha #e, %7 pa7$ent/ 9hen the e:i!tence o& a ,e%t i! &'""7 e!ta%"i!he, %7 the evi,ence containe, in the eco ,, the %' ,en o& p ovin# that it ha! %een e:tin#'i!he, %7 pa7$ent ,evo"ve! 'pon the ,e%to who o&&e ! !'ch ,e&en!e to the c"ai$ o& the c e,ito / 9he e the ,e%to int o,'ce! !o$e evi,ence o& pa7$ent, the %' ,en o& #oin# &o wa , with the evi,ence < a! ,i!tinct & o$ the #ene a" %' ,en o& p oo& < !hi&t! to the c e,ito , who i! then 'n,e the ,'t7 o& p o,'cin# !o$e evi,ence o& nonEpa7$ent/ Citi%an5 &ai"e, to p ove that 2N 56 an, 5D ha, a" ea,7 %een pai, an, that the a$o'nt !o pai, wa! act'a""7 '!e, to open one o& e!p ?C@! acco'nt with petitione %an5/ ?e!ti$onie! o& two witne!!e! we e p e!ente, %7 Citi: 1) * / 2'Be,a, the 03C o& "oan! an, p"ace$ent! at the ti$e the t:n! too5 p"ace (G2 at ti$e o& te!ti$on7) 2) * / ?an, &o $e AG2 o& Citi who ,i ect"7 ,ea"t with e!p e ,epo!it! an, "oan! (A!!t 8* in HA %an5 at ti$e o& ,epo!ition)/ A ,eca,e ha, pa!!e, when te!ti$onie! we e #iven/ 6eca'!e o& thi!, Co' t i! e"'ctant to #ive $'ch wei#ht to the te!ti$onie! %eca'!e o& !'%!tantia" "en#th o& ti$e %etween the t:n! an, the witne!!e! te!ti$onie! p"'! $'"tip"e c"ient!/ ?he e we e no ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence p e!ente, to p ove pa7$ent o& the "a!t two 2N! an, the '!e o& the p ocee,!/ 2ape t ai" en,e, with 2N! 56 an, 5D an, no evi,ence a! to the openin# o& the ?C! '!in# the pa7$ent/ A! Citi &ai"e, to p e!ent p oo& o& pa7$ent o& 2N!, the7 a e !ti"" o't!tan,in# an, Citi i! !ti"" "ia%"e to e!p/ ?i$e ,epo!it! we e opene, with Citi(which acco ,in# to Citi, e!p

p ete $inate, an, e!p t an!&e e, p ocee,! to )NC6 )inance &o **2)/ ?he o%"i#ation o& Citi a! to the 2N i! !epa ate an, ,i!tinct & o$ the o%"i#ation! o& )NC6 a i!in# & o$ the **2 o& e!p with the "atte / 6ES? EG3CENCE RP+E ?hi! Co' t ,i!a# ee! in the p ono'nce$ent $a,e %7 the Co' t o& Appea"! !'$$a i"7 ,i!$i!!in# the ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence !'%$itte, %7 petitione ! %a!e, on it! % oa, an, in,i!c i$inate app"ication o& the %e!t evi,ence '"e/ 3n #ene a", the %e!t evi,ence '"e e;'i e! that the hi#he!t avai"a%"e ,e# ee o& p oo& $'!t %e p o,'ce,/ Acco ,in#"7, &o ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence, the content! o& a ,oc'$ent a e %e!t p ove, %7 the p o,'ction o& the ,oc'$ent it!e"&,11- to the e:c"'!ion o& an7 !econ,a 7 o !'%!tit'tiona 7 evi,ence/11( ?he %e!t evi,ence '"e ha! %een $a,e pa t o& the evi!e, R'"e! o& Co' t, R'"e 1-., Section -, which ea,! < SEC/ -/ Origina document must be !roduced" e)ce!tions$ < 9hen the !'%Bect o& in;'i 7 i! the content! o& a ,oc'$ent, no evi,ence !ha"" %e a,$i!!i%"e othe than the o i#ina" ,oc'$ent it!e"&, e:cept in the &o""owin# ca!e!: (a) 9hen the o i#ina" ha! %een "o!t o ,e!t o7e,, o cannot %e p o,'ce, in co' t, witho't %a, &aith on the pa t o& the o&&e o ; (%) 9hen the o i#ina" i! in the c'!to,7 o 'n,e the cont o" o& the pa t7 a#ain!t who$ the evi,ence i! o&&e e,, an, the "atte &ai"! to p o,'ce it a&te ea!ona%"e notice; (c) 9hen the o i#ina" con!i!t! o& n'$e o'! acco'nt! o othe ,oc'$ent! which cannot %e e:a$ine, in co' t witho't # eat "o!! o& ti$e an, the &act !o'#ht to %e e!ta%"i!he, & o$ the$ i! on"7 the #ene a" e!'"t o& the who"e; an, (,) 9hen the o i#ina" i! a p'%"ic eco , in the c'!to,7 o& a p'%"ic o&&ice o i! eco ,e, in a p'%"ic o&&ice/

A! the a&o eE;'ote, p ovi!ion !tate!, the %e!t evi,ence '"e app"ie! on"7 when the !'%Bect o& the in;'i 7 i! the content! o& the ,oc'$ent/ ?he !cope o& the '"e i! $o e e:ten!ive"7 e:p"aine, th'! < 6't even with e!pect to ,oc'$enta 7 evi,ence, the %e!t evi,ence '"e app"ie! on"7 when the content o& !'ch ,oc'$ent i! the !'%Bect o& the in;'i 7/ 9he e the i!!'e i! on"7 a! to whethe !'ch ,oc'$ent wa! act'a""7 e:ec'te,, o e:i!t!, o on the ci c'$!tance! e"evant to o !' o'n,in# it! e:ec'tion, the %e!t evi,ence '"e ,oe! not app"7 an, te!ti$onia" evi,ence i! a,$i!!i%"e (* 'oran# o!$ cit$# !!$ +,,," - 'artin# o!$ cit$# !$ +.)/ An7 othe !'%!tit'tiona 7 evi,ence i! "i5ewi!e a,$i!!i%"e witho't nee, &o acco'ntin# &o the o i#ina"/ ?h'!, when a ,oc'$ent i! p e!ente, to p ove it! e:i!tence o con,ition it i! o&&e e, not a! ,oc'$enta 7, %'t a! ea", evi,ence/ 2a o" evi,ence o& the &act o& e:ec'tion o& the ,oc'$ent! i! a""owe,/ n Estrada v$ Desierto,116 thi! Co' t ha, occa!ion to '"e that < 3t i! t 'e that the Co' t e"ie, not 'pon the o i#ina" %'t on"7 cop7 o& the /ngara Diary a! p'%"i!he, in the 2hi"ippine Cai"7 3n;'i e on )e% 'a 7 (E6, 2..1/ 3n ,oin# !o, the 0ourt# did not# however# vio ate the best evidence ru e$ 1igmore# in hi! %oo5 on evi,ence, !tate! that: =2 o,'ction o& the o i#ina" $a7 %e ,i!pen!e, with, in the t ia" co' t4! ,i!c etion, wheneve in the ca!e in han, the o!!onent does not bona fide dis!ute the contents of the document an, no othe '!e&'" p' po!e wi"" %e !e ve, %7 e;'i in# p o,'ction/2( =: : : : =3n !eve a" Cana,ian p ovince!, the p incip"e o& 'navai"a%i"it7 ha! %een a%an,one,, &o ce tain ,oc'$ent! in which o ,ina i"7 no ea" ,i!p'te a i!e,/ ?hi! $ea!' e i! a !en!i%"e an, p o# e!!ive one an, ,e!e ve! 'nive !a" a,option (po!t, !ec/ 12--)/ 3t! e!!entia" &eat' e i! that a co!y may be used unconditiona y , if the o!!onent has been given an o!!ortunity to ins!ect it$= (E$pha!i! !'pp"ie,/)

?hi! Co' t ,i, not vio"ate the %e!t evi,ence '"e when it con!i,e e, an, wei#he, in evi,ence the photocopie! an, $ic o&i"$ copie! o& the 2N!, *C!, an, "ette ! !'%$itte, %7 the petitione ! to e!ta%"i!h the e:i!tence o& e!pon,ent4! "oan!/ ?he te $! o content! o& the!e ,oc'$ent! we e neve the point o& contention in the 2etition at %a / 3t wa! e!pon,ent4! po!ition that the 2N! in the &i !t !et (with the e:ception o& 2N No/ -(5-() neve e:i!te,, whi"e the 2N! in the !econ, !et (a#ain, e:c"',in# 2N No/ -(5-() we e $e e"7 e:ec'te, to cove !i$'"ate, "oan t an!action!/ A! &o the *C! ep e!entin# the p ocee,! o& the "oan!, the e!pon,ent eithe ,enie, eceipt o& ce tain *C! o a,$itte, eceipt o& the othe *C! %'t &o anothe p' po!e/ Re!pon,ent &' the a,$itte, the "ette ! !he w ote pe !ona""7 o th o'#h he ep e!entative! to * / ?an o& petitione Citi%an5 ac5now"e,#in# the "oan!, e:cept that !he c"ai$e, that the!e "ette ! we e B'!t $eant to 5eep 'p the '!e o& the !i$'"ate, "oan!/ ?h'!, e!pon,ent ;'e!tione, the ,oc'$ent! a! to thei e:i!tence o e:ec'tion, o when the &o $e i! a,$itte,, a! to the p' po!e &o which the ,oc'$ent! we e e:ec'te,, $atte ! which a e, 'n,o'%te,"7, e:te na" to the ,oc'$ent!, an, which ha, nothin# to ,o with the content! the eo&/ A"te native"7, even i& it i! # ante, that the %e!t evi,ence '"e !ho'", app"7 to the evi,ence p e!ente, %7 petitione ! e#a ,in# the e:i!tence o& e!pon,ent4! "oan!, it !ho'", %e %o ne in $in, that the '"e a,$it! o& the &o""owin# e:ception! 'n,e R'"e 1-., Section 5 o& the evi!e, R'"e! o& Co' t < SEC/ 5/ 1hen the origina document is unavai ab e$ < 9hen the o i#ina" ,oc'$ent ha! %een "o!t o ,e!t o7e,, o cannot %e p o,'ce, in co' t, the o&&e o , 'pon p oo& o& it! e:ec'tion o e:i!tence an, the ca'!e o& it! 'navai"a%i"it7 witho't %a, &aith on hi! pa t, $a7 p ove it! content! %7 a cop7, o %7 a ecita" o& it! content! in !o$e a'thentic ,oc'$ent, o %7 the te!ti$on7 o& witne!!e! in the o ,e !tate,/ ?he e:ec'tion o e:i!tence o& the o i#ina" copie! o& the ,oc'$ent! wa! e!ta%"i!he, th o'#h the te!ti$onie! o& witne!!e!, !'ch a! * / ?an, %e&o e who$ $o!t o& the ,oc'$ent! we e pe !ona""7 e:ec'te, %7 e!pon,ent/ ?he o i#ina" 2N! a"!o went th o'#h the who"e "oan %oo5in# !7!te$ o& petitione Citi%an5 < & o$ the acco'nt o&&ice in it! *a 5etin# Cepa t$ent, to the p eEp oce!!o , to the !i#nat' e ve i&ie , %ac5 to the p eEp oce!!o , then to the p oce!!o &o %oo5in#/

?he &o e#oin# wo'", have %een !'&&icient to a""ow the p e!entation o& photocopie! o $ic o&i"$ copie! o& the 2N!, *C!, an, "ette ! %7 the petitione ! a! !econ,a 7 evi,ence to e!ta%"i!h the e:i!tence o& e!pon,ent4! "oan!, a! an e:ception to the %e!t evi,ence '"e/ 3n the 2etition at %a , e!pon,ent ,ea"t with * / ?an ,i ect"7, the e wa! no thi , pa t7 invo"ve, who co'", have pe pet ate, an7 & a', o &o #e 7 in he "oan t an!action!/ A"tho'#h e!pon,ent atte$pte, to ai!e !'!picion a! to the a'thenticit7 o& he !i#nat' e! on ce tain ,oc'$ent!, the!e we e nothin# $o e than na5e, a""e#ation! with no co o%o atin# evi,ence; wo !e, even he own a""e#ation! we e ep"ete with incon!i!tencie!/ She co'", not even e!ta%"i!h in what $anne o 'n,e what ci c'$!tance! the & a', o &o #e 7 wa! co$$itte,, o how * / ?an co'", have %een ,i ect"7 e!pon!i%"e &o the !a$e/ 9hi"e the Co' t o& Appea"! can ta5e B',icia" notice o& the Ceci!ion o& it! ?hi , Civi!ion in the C7 ca!e, it !ho'", not have #iven the !ai, ca!e $'ch wei#ht when it en,e e, the a!!ai"e, Ceci!ion, !ince the &o $e ,oe! not con!tit'te a p ece,ent/ ?he Co' t o& Appea"!, in the cha""en#e, Ceci!ion, ,i, not app"7 an7 "e#a" a #'$ent o p incip"e e!ta%"i!he, in the C7 ca!e %'t, athe , a,opte, the &in,in#! the ein o& w on#,oin# o $i!con,'ct on the pa t o& he ein petitione Citi%an5 an, * / ?an/ An7 &in,in# o& w on#,oin# o $i!con,'ct a! a#ain!t he ein petitione ! !ho'", %e $a,e %a!e, on the &act'a" %ac5# o'n, an, piece! o& evi,ence !'%$itte, in thi! ca!e, not tho!e in anothe ca!e/ 3t i! appa ent that the Co' t o& Appea"! too5 B',icia" notice o& the C7 ca!e not a! a "e#a" p ece,ent &o the p e!ent ca!e, %'t athe a! evi,ence o& !i$i"a act! co$$itte, %7 petitione Citi%an5 an, * / ?an/ A %a!ic '"e o& evi,ence, howeve , !tate! that, =Evi,ence that one ,i, o ,i, not ,o a ce tain thin# at one ti$e i! not a,$i!!i%"e to p ove that he ,i, o ,i, not ,o the !a$e o !i$i"a thin# at anothe ti$e; %'t it $a7 %e eceive, to p ove a !peci&ic intent o 5now"e,#e, i,entit7, p"an, !7!te$, !che$e, ha%it, c'!to$ o '!a#e, an, the "i5e/=12. ?he ationa"e &o the '"e i! e:p"aine, th'! < ?he '"e i! &o'n,e, 'pon ea!on, p'%"ic po"ic7, B'!tice an, B',icia" convenience/ ?he &act that a pe !on ha! co$$itte, the !a$e o !i$i"a act! at !o$e p io ti$e a&&o ,!, a! a #ene a" '"e, no "o#ica" #'a ant7 that he co$$itte, the act in ;'e!tion/ ?hi! i! !o %eca'!e, !'%Bective"7, a $an4! $in, an, even hi! $o,e! o& "i&e $a7 chan#e; an,, o%Bective"7, the con,ition! 'n,e which he $a7 &in, hi$!e"& at a #iven ti$e

$a7 "i5ewi!e chan#e an, th'! in,'ce hi$ to act in a ,i&&e ent wa7/ 6e!i,e!, i& evi,ence o& !i$i"a act! a e to %e inva ia%"7 a,$itte,, the7 wi"" #ive i!e to a $'"tip"icit7 o& co""ate a" i!!'e! an, wi"" !'%Bect the ,e&en,ant to !' p i!e a! we"" a! con&'!e the co' t an, p o"on# the t ia"/ Co$pen!ation i! a eco#ni1e, $o,e o& e:tin#'i!hin# o%"i#ation!/ Re"evant p ovi!ion! o& the Civi" Co,e p ovi,e! < A t/ 12D8/ Co$pen!ation !ha"" ta5e p"ace when two pe !on!, in thei own i#ht, a e c e,ito ! an, ,e%to ! o& each othe / A t/ 12D9/ 3n o ,e that co$pen!ation $a7 %e p ope , it i! nece!!a 7; (1) ?hat each one o& the o%"i#o ! %e %o'n, p incipa""7, an, that he %e at the !a$e ti$e a p incipa" c e,ito o& the othe ; (2) ?hat %oth ,e%t! con!i!t in a !'$ o& $one7, o i& the thin#! ,'e a e con!'$a%"e, the7 %e o& the !a$e 5in,, an, a"!o o& the !a$e ;'a"it7 i& the "atte ha! %een !tate,; (-) ?hat the two ,e%t! %e ,'e; (() ?hat the7 %e "i;'i,ate, an, ,e$an,a%"e; (5) ?hat ove neithe o& the$ the e %e an7 etention o cont ove !7, co$$ence, %7 thi , pe !on! an, co$$'nicate, in ,'e ti$e to the ,e%to /