THIRD DIVISION

ANTONIO B. MONFORT III and

ILDEFONSO B. MONFORT,
Petitioners,

-versus
MA. ANTONIA M.
SALVATIERRA, PAUL
MONFORT, RAMON H.
MONFORT, JACQUELINE M.
YUSAY, YVETTE M.
BENEDICTO, ESTER S.
MONFORT, SECRETARY OF
JUSTICE and CITY
PROSECUTOR OF CADIZ
CITY,
Respondents.
G.R. No. 1!"#1
Present:
YNARES-SANTIAGO,
Chairperson,
AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,
CAE!O, SR.,
"

C#ICO-NAZARIO, and
NAC#URA, JJ.
Pro$%&'ated:
Mar(h ), *++,
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
D E C I S I O N
C#ICO-NAZARIO, J.:
In this Petition .or Re/ie0
1213
on Certiorari %nder R%&e 4) o. the 155, R%&es
o. Ci/i& Pro(ed%re, petitioners Antonio 6. Mon.ort III and I&de.onso 6. Mon.ort
see7 to set aside the 8e(ision dated *9 !an%ar: *++)
*2*3
and Reso&%tion dated *;
*
On &ea/e.
1 213
Rollo, pp. <-*+.
2 2*3
Penned =: Asso(iate !%sti(e Isaias P. 8i(di(an 0ith Asso(iate !%sti(es Sesinado E. >i&&on and
Ra$on M. 6ato, !r., (on(%rrin'? rollo, pp. 1;<-1,*.
Ma: *++)
<2<3
o. the Co%rt o. Appea&s in CA-G.R. SP No. ;,1+5. In its 8e(ision
and Reso&%tion, the Co%rt o. Appea&s a..ir$ed the Reso&%tions dated 11 O(to=er
*+++
4243
and 1) A%'%st *++1,
)2)3
o. the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e 0hi(h dis$issed the
petitioners@ (ri$ina& (o$p&aint .or perA%r: a'ainst pri/ate respondents Ma. Antonia
M. Sa&/atierra, Pa%& Mon.ort, Ra$on #. Mon.ort, !a(B%e&ine M. Y%sa:, Y/ette M.
6enedi(to and Ester S. Mon.ort.
The .a(t%a& ante(edents are as .o&&o0s:
Petitioners are (hi&dren o. the &ate Antonio #. Mon.ort, !r., one o. the
ori'ina& sto(7ho&dersCin(orporators o. the Mon.ort #er$anos A'ri(%&t%ra&
8e/e&op$ent Corporation DM#A8CE.
;2;3
On *9 O(to=er 1559, petitioners .i&ed a
&etter-(o$p&aint .or perA%r: %nder Arti(&e 19< o. the Re/ised Pena& Code =e.ore the
Cit: Prose(%tor o. CadiF a'ainst pri/ate respondents. The (ase 0as do(7eted as
I.S. No. 9++5. In the said (o$p&aint, petitioners (&ai$ed that the pri/ate
respondents $ade .a&se state$ents in their respe(ti/e (o%nter-a..ida/its dated 11
!%ne 1559 0hi(h the &atter had e-e(%ted and s%=$itted to the Cit: Prose(%tor o.
CadiF in (onne(tion 0ith another (o$p&aint .or perA%r:, do(7eted as I.S. No. ,99<,
ear&ier .i&ed =: the petitioners a'ainst the pri/ate respondents. The a&&e'ed .a&se
state$ents re.erred to the de(&arations o. the pri/ate respondents that the 155;
ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C 0as he&d on 1; O(to=er 155;, and
that the: 0ere e&e(ted as =oard dire(tors o. the M#A8C d%rin' the sa$e $eetin'.
Petitioners insisted that the 155; ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C 0as
he&d, not on 1; O(to=er 155;, =%t on *, No/e$=er 155; as stated in the 155;
32<3
Id. at 1,)-1,;.
4243
Penned =: Underse(retar: o. !%sti(e Re'is >. P%no? id. at <*+-<*1.
52)3
Penned =: Underse(retar: o. !%sti(e Man%e& A.!. Teehan7ee? id. at <*9.
62;3
Re(ords o. the 8epart$ent o. !%sti(e, E-h. 8.
Genera& In.or$ation Sheet DGISE a((o$p&ished =: the M#A8C and s%=$itted to
the Se(%rities and E-(han'e Co$$ission DSECE, I&oi&o E-tension O..i(e. G%rther,
there is nothin' in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C 0hi(h states that an e&e(tion o.
the =oard o. dire(tors o. the M#A8C too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;.
,2,3
S%=seB%ent&:, pri/ate respondents .i&ed their Aoint (o%nter-a..ida/its dated 5
8e(e$=er 1559 in I.S. No. 9++5 =e.ore the Cit: Prose(%tor o. CadiF. The: a&&e'ed
that the: are sto(7ho&ders o. re(ord o. the M#A8C? that a sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin'
o. the M#A8C 0as he&d on 1; O(to=er 155; 0here the: 0ere e&e(ted as =oard
dire(tors o. M#A8C? that the M#A8C@s (orporate a((o%ntant, itonA%a,
8esa=e&&e and Asso(iates D8AE, 0as responsi=&e .or the preparation o. the
M#A8C@s GIS? that the 8A $ade erroneo%s state$ents in the 155; GIS o.
M#A8C? that the erroneo%s state$ents re.er to the date o. the M#A8C@s ann%a&
sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' and the persons (o$posin' the M#A8C@s =oard o.
dire(tors? that the 8A had ad$itted ha/in' (o$$itted s%(h honest error? that the
8A had re(ti.ied the sa$e =: s%=$ittin' a &etter to the SEC in.or$in' the &atter
that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C .or the :ear 155; 0as he&d
on 1; O(to=er 155; and not on *, No/e$=er 155;? that 0hat transpired on *,
No/e$=er 155; 0as not the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C =%t
$ere&: a spe(ia& $eetin' o. the =oard o. dire(tors thereo.? and, that, the pri/ate
respondents 0ere e&e(ted as =oard dire(tors o. the M#A8C d%rin' the ann%a&
sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' on 1; O(to=er 155;.
9293
Pri/ate respondents th%s ar'%e that the: (annot =e he&d &ia=&e .or perA%r:
sin(e one o. the e&e$ents o. perA%r: %nder Arti(&e 19< o. the Re/ised Pena& Code is
72,3
Id. at <-<+.
8293
Id. at 44-4;.
that the assertion o. .a&sehood $%st =e 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate? that the ter$s 0i&&.%&
and de&i=erate i$p&: $a&i(e and e/i& intent in assertin' .a&sehood? and that this
e&e$ent is &a(7in' in the (ase at =ar.
5253
Therea.ter, In/esti'atin' Prose(%tor A=raha$ E. Tion7o DIn/esti'ator
Tion7oE iss%ed a Reso&%tion dated 14 Apri& 1555 in I.S. No. 9++5 dis$issin' the
&etter-(o$p&aint .or perA%r: o. the petitioners .or &a(7 o. pro=a=&e (a%se.
1+21+3
In/esti'ator Tion7o noted that the state$ents in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C are
indeed erroneo%s. The 155; GIS stated that the sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' and e&e(tion
o. the =oard o. dire(tors too7 p&a(e on *, No/e$=er 155;. I. s%(h in.or$ation
0ere tr%e and (orre(t, then a((ordin' to In/esti'ator Tion7o, it 0o%&d ha/e =een
i$possi=&e .or so$e o. the =oard dire(tors to =e e&e(ted as s%(h on *, No/e$=er
155; sin(e the: 0ere a&read: de(eased at that ti$e.
112113
Moreo/er, i. the 155;
ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. M#A8C 0as indeed he&d on *, No/e$=er 155;
0hi(h .e&& on a Hednesda:, it 0o%&d ha/e =een in(onsistent 0ith the =:-&a0s o.
the M#A8C 0hi(h states that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C
sha&& =e he&d on the &ast Th%rsda: o. No/e$=er, 0hi(h, a((ordin' to the 155;
(a&endar, .e&& on *9 No/e$=er 155;.
As to the $atter o. 0hether or not the sto(7ho&ders $a: ho&d their ann%a&
$eetin' on a date other than that spe(i.ied in its =:-&a0s, In/esti'ator Tion7o
opined that s%(h is not 0ithin the pro/in(e o. his o..i(e to r%&e.
1*21*3

9 253
Id.
10 21+3
Id. at ;1-;<.
11 2113
The .o&&o0in' M#A8C sto(7ho&ders passed a0a: d%rin' the 159+@s: Antonio #. Mon.ort, !r.,
!es%s Antonio #. Mon.ort, Gran(is(o #. Mon.ort, and !oaB%in #. Mon.ort.
12 21*3
Rollo, pp. ;1-;<.
#e, therea.ter, $ade the .o&&o0in' .indin's: that it 0as not i$possi=&e .or
the M#A8C sto(7ho&ders to ha/e (ond%(ted their ann%a& $eetin' on 1; O(to=er
155;? that there 0o%&d ha/e =een 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood on
the part o. the pri/ate respondents on&: i. no error 0as (o$$itted in the
preparation o. the 155; GIS o. M#A8C? that pri/ate respondent Ra$on #.
Mon.ort 0as not a0are o. the said errors at the ti$e he s%=s(ri=ed and s0ore to the
(orre(tness o. the 155; GIS o. M#A8C as >i(e-President thereo.? that %pon the
dis(o/er: o. the errors, the 8A sent a &etter to the SEC pro/idin' the &atter 0ith
the (orre(t in.or$ation? that s%(h sho%&d =e (onsidered as $ere ne'&i'en(e and
i$pr%den(e on the part o. pri/ate respondent Ra$on #. Mon.ort? and that the
(ri$e o. perA%r: (annot =e (o$$itted =: ne'&i'en(e or i$pr%den(e. The
dispositi/e portion o. In/esti'ator Tion7o@s Reso&%tion states:
H#EREGORE, the %ndersi'ned =e&ie/es there is no pro=a=&e (a%se to
s%pport a .indin' o. perA%r: a'ainst a&& o. the respondents and this (o$p&aint is
here=: dis$issed.
1<21<3
Petitioners appea&ed the a.ore$entioned Reso&%tion to the O..i(e o. the
Re'iona& State Prose(%tor .or Re'ion >I. In his Reso&%tion dated 15 No/e$=er
1555, Re'iona& State Prose(%tor >i(ente E. Ara'ona DProse(%tor Ara'onaE denied
d%e (o%rse to petitioners@ appea& as the sa$e 0as .i&ed o%t o. ti$e.
142143
Petitioners
.i&ed a $otion .or re(onsideration =%t the sa$e 0as dis$issed =: Prose(%tor
Ara'ona in his Reso&%tion dated ** 8e(e$=er 1555.
1)21)3
Prose(%tor Ara'ona
s%stained the (&ai$ o. the pri/ate respondents that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders $eetin'
o. the M#A8C 0as he&d on 1; O(to=er 155; at A'$a( 6%i&din', 6a(o&od Cit:,
0here the: 0ere e&e(ted as =oard dire(tors sin(e this is s%pported =: e/iden(e on
1321<3
Id.
142143
Id. at 5<.
1521)3
Id. at 54-5;.
re(ord (onsistin' o. the noti(es o. sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' and re'istr: ret%rn
re(eipt.
1;21;3
#e a&so a..ir$ed that patent errors 0ere (o$$itted in the preparation
o. the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C. Pertinent portions o. the ** 8e(e$=er 1555
Reso&%tion o. Prose(%tor Ara'ona reads:
He then r%&ed and so r%&es here, that an erroneo%s do(%$ent is in(orre(t
and there.ore not the tr%th. It (annot =e %sed as =asis to (har'e the respondents .or
PerA%r:, .or the si$p&e reason that it is not an e/iden(e that the: &ied %nder oath.
In .a(t, it is an e/iden(e not on&: o. it =ein' an in(orre(t do(%$ent =%t a&so o. the
.a(t that the No/e$=er *,, 155; $eetin' 0ritten in it 0as a $ista7e and that the
dead persons &isted as e&e(ted o..i(ers in that $eetin' is &i7e0ise a $ista7e. This
e/iden(e has no pro=ati/e /a&%e to esta=&ish pri$a .a(ie (ase .or perA%r: =e(a%se
o. its nat%re as =ein' 0orth&ess d%e to its inherent in(redi=i&it: to esta=&ish that
No/e$=er *,, 155; is the tr%e date o. the Ann%a& Sto(7ho&ders@ Meetin' o. the
Mon.ort #er$anos A'ri(%&t%ra& 8e/e&op$ent Corporation.
In /ie0 o. the .ore'oin', the appea& sho%&d =e, as it is here=: dis$issed.
1,
21,3
Petitioners, then, appea&ed to the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e. Gindin' no re/ersi=&e
error in Prose(%tor Ara'ona@s Reso&%tion dated ** 8e(e$=er 1555, Underse(retar:
o. !%sti(e Re'is >. P%no dis$issed petitioners@ appea& in his Reso&%tion dated 11
O(to=er *+++,
192193
to 0it:
This reso&/es the appea& .ro$ the reso&%tion o. the Re'iona& State
Prose(%tor, Re'ion >I, I&oi&o Cit: in the a=o/e-entit&ed (ase dis$issin' the
(o$p&aint a'ainst Ma. Antonia M. Sa&/atierra, et. a&. .or perA%r:.
Se(tion 5 o. 8epart$ent Order No. **< dated !%ne <+ 155<, as a$ended,
Dno0 Se(tion 1* in re&ation to Se(tion , o. 8epart$ent Cir(%&ar No. ,+ dated <
!%&: *+++E, pres(ri=in' r%&es on appea&s .ro$ reso&%tion in pre&i$inar:
in/esti'ations pro/ides that the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e $a:, motu proprio, dis$iss
o%tri'ht an appea& i. there is sho0in' o. an: re/ersi=&e error in the B%estioned
reso&%tion. He ha/e (are.%&&: e-a$ined the re(ord o. the (ase and 0e .o%nd no
1621;3
Id.
1721,3
Id.
182193
Id. at <*+-<*1.
s%(h error (o$$itted =: the prose(%tor that 0o%&d A%sti.: a re/ersa& o. his
reso&%tion, 0hi(h is in a((ord 0ith the &a0 and e/iden(e on the $atter.
H#EREGORE, pre$ises (onsidered, the appea& is here=: 8ISMISSE8.
15
2153
Petitioners .i&ed a $otion .or re(onsideration o. Underse(retar: P%no@s
Reso&%tion dated 11 O(to=er *+++ =%t this 0as denied in the Reso&%tion dated 1)
A%'%st *++1 o. Underse(retar: o. !%sti(e Man%e& A.!. Teehan7ee sin(e no ne0
$atter 0as raised to 0arrant the re/ie0 o. the sa$e,
*+2*+3
viz:
A per%sa& o. the $otion sho0s no ne0 $atter 0hi(h 0as not ta7en into
(onsideration in o%r re/ie0 o. the (ase. #en(e, 0e .ind no (o$pe&&in' reason to
a&ter or $odi.: o%r reso&%tion.
H#EREGORE, the $otion .or re(onsideration is here=: 8ENIE8 0ith
.ina&it:.
*12*13
Petitioners appea&ed the reso&%tions o. the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e dated 11
O(to=er *+++ and 1) A%'%st *++1, respe(ti/e&:, to the Co%rt o. Appea&s. On *9
!an%ar: *++), the Co%rt o. Appea&s rendered its 8e(ision a..ir$in' the said
reso&%tions.
**2**3
It r%&ed that the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e did not (o$$it 'ra/e a=%se o.
dis(retion sin(e its non-.indin' o. pro=a=&e (a%se .or perA%r: a'ainst pri/ate
respondents is =ased on &a0, A%rispr%den(e and e/iden(e on re(ords. It a&so he&d
that the pri/ate respondents had s%..i(ient&: esta=&ished the .a(t that a
sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. the M#A8C a(t%a&&: too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;, and
that the: 0ere e&e(ted d%rin' the said $eetin' as =oard dire(tors. It .%rther stated
192153
Id.
202*+3
Id. at <*9.
212*13
Id.
222**3
Id. at 1;<-1,*.
that 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood, as one o. the e&e$ents o. perA%r:,
is not present in the instant (ase.
*<2*<3
The fallo o. the assai&ed 8e(ision reads:
H#EREGORE, in /ie0 o. the .ore'oin' pre$ises, A%d'$ent is here=:
rendered =: %s 8ISMISSING the petition .i&ed in this (ase and AGGIRMING the
Reso&%tions dated O(to=er 11, *+++ and A%'%st 1), *++1 respe(ti/e&:, iss%ed =:
the p%=&i( respondent Se(retar: o. !%sti(e.
*42*43
Petitioners .i&ed a Motion .or Re(onsideration =%t the sa$e 0as denied =:
the Co%rt o. Appea&s in its Reso&%tion dated *; Ma: *++).
*)2*)3

Petitioners .i&ed the present petition raisin' the so&e iss%e o. 0hether or not
the Co%rt o. Appea&s erred in a..ir$in' the .indin's o. the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e that
there is no pro=a=&e (a%se to indi(t the pri/ate respondents .or the (ri$e o.
perA%r:.
*;2*;3
A((ordin' to the petitioners, the insisten(e o. the pri/ate respondents that
the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' o. M#A8C too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;, and
that the: 0ere e&e(ted d%rin' the said $eetin' as =oard dire(tors (onstit%te 0i&&.%&
and de&i=erate assertion o. a .a&sehood =e(a%se it is not in har$on: 0ith the
(onstit%tion and =:-&a0s o. M#A8C 0hi(h pro/ides that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@
$eetin' and the e&e(tion o. =oard dire(tors sha&& =e he&d e/er: &ast Th%rsda: o.
No/e$=er .or ea(h :ear. The: stressed the .a(t that the date 1; O(to=er 155; is
not the &ast Th%rsda: o. No/e$=er in the :ear 155;. The: a&so (&ai$ed that the
noti(es o. $eetin' dated 1 O(to=er 155; re(ei/ed =: the pri/ate respondents are
Iin(o$petentJ to pro/e that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' and the e&e(tion o.
232*<3
Id.
242*43
Id.
252*)3
Id. at 1,)-1,;.
262*;3
Id. at 1*.
dire(tors o. the M#A8C too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;. G%rther, the intent o. the
pri/ate respondents to (o$$it a 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood is
e/ident in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C 0hi(h does not spe(i.: that an e&e(tion o.
=oard dire(tors too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;.
*,2*,3
Petitioners a&so a/erred that the (orre(tion o. the a&&e'ed erroneo%s entries in
the 155; GIS o. M#A8C 0as $ade =: the 8A, M#A8C@s (orporate
a((o%ntant, on&: a.ter the &apse o. t0o :ears .ro$ the e-e(%tion o. the said
do(%$ent. The: ar'%ed that the sa$e 0as a .%ti&e atte$pt on the part o. the
pri/ate respondents to es(ape (ri$ina& &ia=i&it: sin(e: aE at the ti$e the (orre(tions
0ere $ade, the: had a&read: (har'ed pri/ate respondent Ra$on #. Mon.ort 0ith
perA%r: and .a&si.i(ation o. pri/ate do(%$ent .or in(&%din' in the 155; GIS o. the
M#A8C the na$es o. sto(7ho&ders 0ho 0ere a&read: de(eased as e&e(ted =oard
dire(tors o. M#A8C?
*92*93
=E the a&&e'ed errors in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C,
parti(%&ar&: in the (o$position o. the a&&e'ed e&e(ted =oard o. dire(tors, is =e&ied
=: the 155, GIS o. M#A8C .i&ed =: pri/ate respondent Ra$on #. Mon.ort 0hi(h
reiterated the na$es o. the de(eased sto(7ho&ders as e&e(ted dire(tors o. M#A8C?
this is not A%st one $ista7e =%t t0o $ista7es a&read:? (E there 0as i&&-$oti/e on the
part o. the pri/ate respondents 0hen it sent, thro%'h 8A, a &etter to the SEC to
(orre(t the a&&e'ed errors =e(a%se at the ti$e s%(h &etter 0as re(ei/ed =: the SEC,
the Cit: Prose(%tor o. CadiF had a&read: iss%ed a reso&%tion in I.S. No. ,99<
.indin' pro=a=&e (a%se .or perA%r: a'ainst pri/ate respondents? and dE at the ti$e o.
the (orre(tion o. errors, a tota& o. si- or $ore (ri$ina& (ases .or perA%r: 0ere
a&read: .i&ed =: the petitioners a'ainst pri/ate respondents and so$e are sti&&
pendin' reso&%tion.
*52*53
272*,3
Id. at 1<-14.
282*93
Id. at ;1-;<.
292*53
Id. at 1)-1,.
Petitioners .%rther asse/erated that the pri/ate respondents@ state$ents in
their respe(ti/e (o%nter-a..ida/its dated 11 !%ne 1559 in I.S. No. ,99< that the:
0ere e&e(ted =oard dire(tors d%rin' the 1; O(to=er 155; ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@
$eetin' sho0 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood sin(e the pri/ate
respondents had $ade these sa$e state$ents as their =ases in .i&in' (i/i& (ases .or
.or(i=&e entr: and de&i/er: o. persona& propert: a'ainst petitioners 0hi(h (ases,
ho0e/er, 0ere e/ent%a&&: dis$issed =: this Co%rt in G.R. No. 1)*)4* and No.
1))4,*.
<+2<+3
The: posited that this Co%rt had dis$issed the (i/i& (ases as the
pri/ate respondents .ai&ed to esta=&ish the .a(t that the: 0ere d%&: e&e(ted as =oard
dire(tors o. M#A8C and, as s%(h, 0ere not a%thoriFed to .i&e the said (ases. 6ased
on these pre$ises, petitioners (on(&%ded that there is $ore than eno%'h e/iden(e to
s%pport the .indin' o. pro=a=&e (a%se .or perA%r: a'ainst pri/ate respondents.
<12<13
These (ontentions are de/oid o. $erit.
It sho%&d =e e$phasiFed at the o%tset that the .%n(tion o. a pre&i$inar:
in/esti'ation is to deter$ine 0hether there is s%..i(ient 'ro%nd to en'ender a 0e&&-
.o%nded =e&ie. that a (ri$e has =een (o$$itted and the respondent is pro=a=&:
'%i&t: thereo., and sho%&d =e he&d .or tria&.
<*2<*3
It is thro%'h the (ond%(t o. a
pre&i$inar: in/esti'ation that the prose(%tor deter$ines the e-isten(e o. a pro=a=&e
(a%se that 0o%&d 0arrant the prose(%tion o. a (ase.
<<2<<3
Pro=a=&e (a%se, .or
p%rposes o. .i&in' a (ri$ina& in.or$ation, has =een de.ined as s%(h .a(ts as are
s%..i(ient to en'ender a 0e&&-.o%nded =e&ie. that a (ri$e has =een (o$$itted and
302<+3
Pro$%&'ated 9 !%&: *++4.
312<13
Rollo, pp. 1,-15.
322<*3
R%&e 11*, Se(tion 1, Re/ised R%&es o. Cri$ina& Pro(ed%re.
332<<3
Alonzo v. Concepcion, A.M. No. RT!-+4-19,5, 1, !an%ar: *++), 449 SCRA <*5, <<,.
that the pri/ate respondent is pro=a=&: '%i&t: thereo.. It is s%(h a state o. .a(ts in
the $ind o. the prose(%tor as 0o%&d &ead a person o. ordinar: (a%tion and
pr%den(e to =e&ie/e or entertain an honest or stron' s%spi(ion that a thin' is so.
The ter$ does not $ean Ia(t%a& or positi/e (a%se?J nor does it i$port a=so&%te
(ertaint:. It is $ere&: =ased on opinion and reasona=&e =e&ie..
<42<43

In this pro(eedin', the prose(%tor is /ested 0ith a%thorit: and dis(retion to
deter$ine 0hether there is s%..i(ient e/iden(e to A%sti.: the .i&in' o. (orrespondin'
in.or$ation.
<)2<)3
I. the prose(%tor .o%nd pro=a=&e (a%se to indi(t the respondent
.or a (ri$ina& o..ense, it is his d%t: to .i&e the (orrespondin' in.or$ation in (o%rt.
<;
2<;3
#o0e/er, it is eB%a&&: his d%t: not to prose(%te 0hen a.ter an in/esti'ation, the
e/iden(e add%(ed is not s%..i(ient to esta=&ish a prima facie (ase.
<,2<,3
He
e-p&ained the rationa&e in the (ase o. People v. Pineda,
<92<93
th%s:
A prose(%tin' attorne:, =: the nat%re o. his o..i(e, is %nder no (o$p%&sion to .i&e
a parti(%&ar (ri$ina& in.or$ation 0here he is not (on/in(ed that he has e/iden(e
to prop %p the a/er$ents thereo., or that the e/iden(e at hand points to a di..erent
(on(&%sion. This is not to dis(o%nt the possi=i&it: o. the (o$$ission o. a=%ses on
the part o. the prose(%tor. 6%t 0e $%st ha/e to re(o'niFe that a prose(%tin'
attorne: sho%&d not =e %nd%&: (o$pe&&ed to 0or7 a'ainst his (on/i(tion. In (ase
o. do%=t, 0e sho%&d 'i/e hi$ the =ene.it thereo.. A (ontrar: r%&e $a: res%&t in
o%r (o%rts =ein' %nne(essari&: s0a$ped 0ith %n$eritorio%s (ases. Horse sti&&, a
(ri$ina& s%spe(t@s ri'ht to d%e pro(ess - the sportin' idea o. .air p&a: - $a: =e
trans'ressed. - - -.
PerA%r: is the 0i&&.%& and (orr%pt assertion o. a .a&sehood %nder oath or
a..ir$ation ad$inistered =: a%thorit: o. &a0 on a $ateria& $atter.
<52<53
Arti(&e 19<
o. the Re/ised Pena& Code states the de.inition o. and pena&t: .or perA%r:, th%s:
342<43
Villanueva v. Secretary of Justice, G.R. No. 1;*19,, 19 No/e$=er *++), 4,) SCRA 45), )11.
352<)3
Zulueta v. icolas, 1+* Phi&. 544, 54; D15)9E.
362<;3
Rollo, pp. 1)-1,.
372<,3
Id.
382<93
G.R. No. -*;***, *1 !%&: 15;,, *+ SCRA ,49, ,)).
392<53
Villanueva v. Secretary of Justice, s%pra note <4 at )1<.
Art. 19<. !alse testimony in ot"er cases and per#ury in solemn
affirmation. The pena&t: o. arresto mayor in its $a-i$%$ period to prision
correccional in its $ini$%$ period sha&& =e i$posed %pon an: person 0ho,
7no0in'&: $a7e %ntr%th.%& state$ents and not =ein' in(&%ded in the pro/isions o.
the ne-t pre(edin' arti(&es, sha&& testi.: %nder oath or $a7e an a..ida/it, %pon an:
$ateria& $atter =e.ore a (o$petent person a%thoriFed to ad$inister an oath in
(ases in 0hi(h the &a0 so reB%ires.
An: person 0ho, in (ase o. a so&e$n a..ir$ation $ade in &ie% o. an oath,
sha&& (o$$it an: o. the .a&sehoods $entioned $ade in this and the three
pre(edin' arti(&es o. this se(tion sha&& s%..er the respe(ti/e pena&ties pro/ided
therein.
As (an =e '&eaned .ro$ the .ore'oin', the e&e$ents o. perA%r: are as
.o&&o0s:
DaE That the a((%sed $ade a state$ent %nder oath or e-e(%ted an a..ida/it
%pon a $ateria& $atter.
D=E That the state$ent or a..ida/it 0as $ade =e.ore a (o$petent o..i(er,
a%thoriFed to re(ei/e and ad$inister oath.
D(E That in the state$ent or a..ida/it, the a((%sed $ade a 0i&&.%& and
de&i=erate assertion o. a .a&sehood.
DdE That the s0orn state$ent or a..ida/it (ontainin' the .a&sit: is reB%ired
=: &a0 or $ade .or a &e'a& p%rpose.
4+24+3
The third e&e$ent o. perA%r: reB%ires that the a((%sed had 0i&&.%&&: and
de&i=erate&: asserted a .a&sehood. A $ere assertion o. a .a&se o=Ae(ti/e .a(t is not
s%..i(ient. The assertion $%st =e de&i=erate and 0i&&.%&.
412413

4024+3
$iaz v. People, G.R. No. ;)++;, <1 O(to=er 155+, 151 SCRA 9;, 5<.
412413
Id.
In the instant (ase, the petitioners .ai&ed to esta=&ish the .a(t that the pri/ate
respondents $ade a 0i&&.%& and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood in their (o%nter-
a..ida/its dated 11 !%ne 1559.
Pri/ate respondent Ra$on #. Mon.ort had s%..i(ient&: and reasona=&:
e-p&ained the (ir(%$stan(es s%rro%ndin' the preparation and his si'nin' o. the
erroneo%s state$ents in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C. #e narrated that as >i(e-
President o. the M#A8C, he si'ned and (erti.ied the sa$e %nder oath? that he 0as
not, ho0e/er, a0are o. the erroneo%s state$ents therein at the ti$e 0hen he si'ned
it? that it 0as 8A as M#A8C@s (orporate a((o%ntant 0hi(h had so&e&: prepared
the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C? that he a&0a:s re&ied on the a((%ra(: o. 8A? that
he hasti&: si'ned it sin(e, at that ti$e, the 8A representati/e 0as in a h%rr: to
=eat the dead&ine in s%=$ittin' the sa$e to the SEC? that a.ter =ein' in.or$ed o.
the erroneo%s state$ents, the 8A sent a &etter to the SEC in.or$in' the &atter o.
the $ista7es and s%pp&:in' the (orre(t in.or$ations therein? that the erroneo%s
state$ents 0ere d%e to the o/ersi'ht o. the 8A? and, that he ad$itted that he 0as
ne'&i'ent in not (are.%&&: readin' and ana&:Fin' the state$ents therein.
4*24*3

The naK/e re&ian(e o. the pri/ate respondents on the .ore'oin' (ir(%$stan(es
in e-e(%tin' their respe(ti/e (o%nter-a..ida/its dated 11 !%ne 1559 ne'ates 0i&&.%&
and de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood. PerA%r: =ein' a .e&on: =: dolo, there $%st
=e $a&i(e on the part o. the a((%sed.
4<24<3
Hi&&.%&&: $eans intentiona&&:, 0ith e/i&
intent and &e'a& $a&i(e, 0ith (ons(io%sness that the a&&e'ed perA%rio%s state$ent is
.a&se 0ith the intent that it sho%&d =e re(ei/ed as a state$ent o. 0hat 0as tr%e in
.a(t. It is eB%i/a&ent to I7no0in'&:.J I8e&i=erate&:J i$p&ies I$editatedJ as
42 24*3
Rollo, pp. <,1-<,<.
43 24<3
Id.
distin'%ished .ro$ Iinad/ertent a(ts.J It $%st appear that the a((%sed 7no0s his
state$ent to =e .a&se or is (ons(io%s&: i'norant o. its tr%th.
442443

In this (ase, the pri/ate respondents =e&ie/ed in 'ood .aith that, =ased on the
a=o/e-e-p&ained e/ents, their state$ents in their respe(ti/e (o%nter- a..ida/its
dated 11 !%ne 1559 are tr%e and (orre(t. Good .aith or &a(7 o. $a&i(e is a /a&id
de.ense vis-a-vis the a&&e'ation o. de&i=erate assertion o. .a&sehood in perA%r:
(ases.
4)24)3

It sho%&d a&so =e =orne in $ind that perA%r: (annot =e 0i&&.%& 0here the oath
is a((ordin' to =e&ie. or (on/i(tion as to its tr%th. %ona fide =e&ie. in the tr%th o. a
state$ent is an adeB%ate de.ense.
4;24;3
The pri/ate respondents had (onsistent&:
(&ai$ed that the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C is erroneo%s on its .a(e. The: ha/e
$aintained a&& a&on' their stand that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders $eetin' o. the
M#A8C 0as he&d on 1; O(to=er 155; and not on *, No/e$=er 155;. The: a&so
s%=$itted do(%$entar: e/iden(e to pro/e that the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin'
too7 p&a(e on 1; O(to=er 155;, and that the 8A had a&read: (o$$%ni(ated to the
SEC the $ista7es and (orre(tions in the 155; GIS o. the M#A8C.
4,24,3
In addition
thereto, the: a&so s%=$itted a &etter (o$in' .ro$ the SEC 0hi(h a(7no0&ed'ed the
(orre(tions therein and had noted that the sa$e no0 .or$ part o. the re(ords o. the
M#A8C.
492493
G%rther, the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e had .o%nd that the 155; GIS o. the
M#A8C is patent&: erroneo%s. It (on(&%ded that the sa$e is 0orth&ess and has no
44 2443
Id. at )1<-)14.
45 24)3
Acu&a v. $eputy 'm(udsman for )uzon, G.R. No. 144;5*, <1 !an%ar: *++), 4)+ SCRA *<*, *4).
4624;3
Rollo, p. )14.
4724,3
Id. at 44-)) and <,1-<9*.
482493
Re(ords o. the 8epart$ent o. !%sti(e, E-h. <.
pro=ati/e /a&%e in e/iden(e =e(a%se it does not esta=&ish the .a(t that the tr%e date
o. the ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' .or the :ear 155; too7 p&a(e on *, No/e$=er
155;. This .indin' 0as s%stained =: the Co%rt o. Appea&s in its 8e(ision dated *9
!an%ar: *++).
As a 'enera& r%&e, this Co%rt 0i&& not inter.ere in the (ond%(t o. pre&i$inar:
in/esti'ations and &ea/e to the in/esti'atin' prose(%tor s%..i(ient &atit%de o.
dis(retion in the e-er(ise o. deter$ination o. 0hat (onstit%tes s%..i(ient e/iden(e
as 0i&& esta=&ish pro=a=&e (a%se .or the .i&in' o. an in.or$ation a'ainst an
o..ender.
452453
As an e-(eption, ho0e/er, this Co%rt $a: inB%ire into the
deter$ination o. pro=a=&e (a%se d%rin' the pre&i$inar: in/esti'ation i., =ased on
the re(ords, the prose(%tor (o$$itted 'ra/e a=%se o. dis(retion.
)+2)+3
In the (ase at
=ar, the Cit: Prose(%tor o. CadiF, the Re'iona& State Prose(%tor .or Re'ion >I, and
the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e had (onsistent&: r%&ed that there is no pro=a=&e (a%se to
indi(t the pri/ate respondents .or the (ri$e o. perA%r:. He .ind no 'ra/e a=%se o.
dis(retion or $ani.est error on their part (onsiderin' the .a(t that their non-.indin'
o. pro=a=&e (a%se is s%pported =: the e/iden(e on re(ord. It is 0e&& to state, too,
that the reso&%tion o. the Se(retar: o. !%sti(e de(&arin' the a=sen(e or e-isten(e o.
a pro=a=&e (a%se and a..ir$ed =: the Co%rt o. Appea&s is a((orded hi'h respe(t
and 'enera&&: (on(&%si/e on this Co%rt.
)12)13
He .ind no e-(eptiona& reasons to
de/iate .ro$ this prin(ip&e.
The prono%n(e$ents o. this Co%rt in G.R. No. 1)*)4* and No. 1))4,*
)*2)*3
do not a%to$ati(a&&: i$p&: that there is s%..i(ient e/iden(e or pro=a=&e (a%se to
49 2453
Punzalan v. $ela Pena, G.R. No. 1)9)4<, *1 !%&: *++4, 4<4 SCRA, ;+1, ;11.
50 2)+3
!iladams P"arma, *nc. v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 1<*4**, <+ Mar(h *++4, 4*; SCRA 4;+,
4,+.
512)13
Rollo, p. )1*.
522)*3
Id. at 1)+-1;1.
indi(t the pri/ate respondents .or the (ri$e o. perA%r:. It sho%&d =e %nders(ored
that in G.R. No. 1)*)4* and No. 1))4,*, there is no .indin' 0ith re'ard to the
(orre(t date o. the 155; ann%a& sto(7ho&ders@ $eetin' and the e&e(tion o. the =oard
o. dire(tors as to =ind this Co%rt in the Petition at =ar.
$HEREFORE, the instant petition is here=: DENIED. The 8e(ision and
Reso&%tion o. the Co%rt o. Appea&s in CA-G.R. SP No. ;,1+5 dated *9 !an%ar:
*++) and *; Ma: *++), respe(ti/e&:, are here=: AFFIRMED. Costs a'ainst
petitioners.
SO ORDERED.
MINITA V. CHICO%NAZARIO
Asso(iate !%sti(e
HE CONCUR:
CONSUELO YNARES%SANTIAGO
Asso(iate !%sti(e
Chairperson
MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA%MARTINEZ
Asso(iate !%sti(e
ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.
Asso(iate !%sti(e
ANTONIO EDUARDO B. NACHURA
Asso(iate !%sti(e
A T T E S T A T I O N
I attest that the (on(&%sions in the a=o/e 8e(ision 0ere rea(hed in
(ons%&tation =e.ore the (ase 0as assi'ned to the 0riter o. the opinion o. the
Co%rt@s 8i/ision.
CONSUELO YNARES%
SANTIAGO
Asso(iate !%sti(e
Chairperson, Third 8i/ision
C E R T I G I C A T I O N
P%rs%ant to Arti(&e >III, Se(tion 1< o. the Constit%tion, and the 8i/ision
Chair$an@s Attestation, it is here=: (erti.ied that the (on(&%sions in the a=o/e
8e(ision 0ere rea(hed in (ons%&tation =e.ore the (ase 0as assi'ned to the 0riter o.
the opinion o. the Co%rt@s 8i/ision.
REYNATO S. PUNO
Chie. !%sti(e
Supreme Court +-)i(rary







SECOND DIVISION


CRISTE B. VILLANUEVA, G.R. No. 1&1!'
Petitioner,
Present:

PUNO, J., C"airman,
- versus - AUSTRIA-MARTINEZ,
CAE!O, SR.,
TINGA, and
C#ICO-NAZARIO,
"
JJ.
THE HON. SECRETARY OF
JUSTICE and HORST%(ESSLER Pro$%&'ated:
VON SPRENGEISEN,
Respondents. No/e$=er 19, *++)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


D E C I S I O N



CALLEJO, SR., J.)

Before the Court is a petition for review on certiorari of the Decision
[1]
of the Court of Appeals (CA) in CA-G.R. S !o. "#$$$ %is&issin' the
petition for certiorari assailin' the fin%in' of the Secretar( of )ustice that no
pro*a*le cause e+ists a'ainst private respon%ent ,orst--essler .on
Spren'eisen for per/ur(.


The Antecedents

0n April 12 1$$#2 the Refractories Corporation of the hilippines
(RC) file% a protest *efore the Special Co&&ittee on Anti-Du&pin' of the
Depart&ent of 3inance a'ainst certain i&portations of ,a&*ur' 4ra%in'
Corporation (,4C)2 a corporation %ul( or'ani5e% an% e+istin' un%er the
laws of the hilippines. 4he &atter involve% 161.7"7 tons of &a'nesite-
*ase% refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an(.
[1]
4he case was %oc8ete% as Anti-
Du&pin' Case !o. 9-$:.

4he protest was referre% to the Bureau of 9&port Services (B9S) of
the Depart&ent of 4ra%e an% 9n%ustr(2 to %eter&ine if there was a prima
facie case for violation of Repu*lic Act (R.A.) !o. ":;<2 the Anti-Du&pin'
=aw. So&eti&e in 3e*ruar( 1$$"2 the B9S su*&itte% its report to the 4ariff
Co&&ission2 %eclarin' that a prima facie case e+iste% an% that continue%
i&portation of refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an( woul% har& the local
in%ustr(. 9t a%opte% the a&ount of D> 12177 per &etric ton as the nor&al
value of the i&porte% 'oo%s.
[<]

4he ,4C receive% a cop( of the sai% report on 3e*ruar( 1;2 1$$".
,owever2 *efore it coul% respon%2 the chair&an of the 4ariff Co&&ission
pro%%e% the parties to settle the &atter a&ica*l(. A conference ensue%
*etween RC Senior .ice resi%ent an% Assistant General >ana'er Criste
.illanueva an% )esus Bor'onia2 on the one han%2 an% ,4C resi%ent an%
General >ana'er ,orst--essler .on Spren'eisen an% Sales >ana'er
Dennis Gon5ales2 on the other. Durin' the conference2 the parties a'ree%
that the refractor( *ric8s were i&porte% *( the ,4C at a price less than its
nor&al value of D> 121772 an% that such i&portation was li8el( to in/ure the
local in%ustr(. 4he parties also a'ree% to settle the case to avoi% e+penses
an% protracte% liti'ation. ,4C was re?uire% to refor& its price
polic(@structure of its i&portation an% sale of refractor( *ric8s fro&
Ger&an( to confor& to the provisions of R.A. !o. ":;< an% its rules an%
re'ulations. )esus Bor'onio thereafter prepare% an% si'ne% a co&pro&ise
a'ree&ent containin' the ter&s a'ree% upon which .illanueva an%
Bor'onia si'ne%.
[;]
Bienveni%o 3lores2 an 0ffice Cler8 of RC2 %elivere%
the a'ree&ent to ,4C at the $th 3loor of Ra&on >a'sa(sa( Center
Buil%in'2 1#:7 Ro+as Boulevar%2 >anila *( .on Spren'eisenAs approval.
[6]

,owever2 .on Spren'eisen %i% not si'n the a'ree&ent. Bor'onia
revise% the a'ree&ent *( insertin' the phrase B*ase% on the fin%in's of the
B9SC in para'raph 1 thereof. .illanueva an% Bor'onia si'ne% the
a'ree&ent an% ha% the sa&e %elivere% to the office of ,4C on April 112
1$$" *( =ino >. Gutierre52 a technical assistant of RC. Gon5ales
receive% the a'ree&ent an% %elivere% the sa&e to .on Spren'eisen. After
17 &inutes2 Gon5ales returne%2 with the a'ree&ent alrea%( si'ne% *( .on
Spren'eisen.
[#]
Gon5ales2 who ha% also si'ne%2 then 'ave it to Gutierre5.
0n the sa&e %a(2 !otar( u*lic Denai%a . De DuEi'a notari5e% the
a'ree&ent.
["]
Gon5ales %elivere% a cop( of the notari5e% A'ree&ent to
,4C.
[:]

RC su*&itte% the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent to the 4ariff Co&&ission.
Durin' the >a( $2 1$$" hearin' *efore the Co&&ission for the approval of
the a'ree&ent2 a representative of ,4C appeare%. ,e offere% no o*/ection
to the A'ree&ent. 4he Co&&ission su*&itte% its report to the Special
Co&&ittee which ren%ere% a %ecision %eclarin' that2 *ase% on the fin%in's
of the B9S2 the nor&al value of the i&porte% refractor( *ric8s was D> 12177
per &etric ton. ,4C receive% a cop( of the %ecision on >arch ;2 1$$:.
!either RC nor ,4C appeale% the %ecision to the Court of 4a+ Appeals.

9n the &eanti&e2 ,4C i&porte% refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an( anew
an% note% that the nor&al value of the sai% i&portation un%er the %ecision
of the Special Co&&ittee *ase% on the B9S report was D> 12177 per &etric
ton. 0n )ul( 1:2 1$$:2 the ,4C file% an Fr'ent >otion to Set Asi%e an%@or
.acate )u%'&ent with the Special Co&&ittee on Anti-Du&pin'2 pra(in'
that such %ecision *e %eclare% null an% voi% on the followin' 'roun%sG

1. 4,H 3RAFD ,AD BHH! C0>>944HD BI 4,H R04HS4A!4 DFR9!G
4,H !HG049A490! 30R 4,H RHARA490! 03 4,H C0>R0>9SH
AGRHH>H!4.

1. 4,A4 9!SHR490!S A!D@0R SFBS494F490! 03 4,H 3AC4S !04
AGRHHD F0! JAS DH=9BHRA4H=I A!D SFRRH49490FS=I >ADH BI
4,H R04HS4A!4 9! 4,H C0>R0>9SH AGRHH>H!4 J94,0F4 4,H
-!0J=HDGH A!D C0!SH!4 03 4,H R04HS4HH.
[$]

4he &otion was verifie% *( .on Spren'eisen. 4he ,4C averre%
therein that .illanueva violate% Article 1"1 of the Revise% enal Co%e
when he surreptitiousl( inserte% the phrase B*ase% on the fin%in's of the
B9SC in the a'ree&ent without the 8nowle%'e an% consent of .on
Spren'eisen an% %espite their a'ree&ent to put *ehin% the& the fin%in's of
the B9S. Appen%e% to the &otion was an Affi%avit of >erit e+ecute% *( .on
Spren'eisen in which he alle'e%2 inter alia2 that so&eti&e in 3e*ruar(
1$$"2 the B9S ca&e out with its Report %eclarin' that the nor&al value of
the &a'nesite-*ase% refractor( *ric8s was D> 12177 per &etric tonK *efore
,4C coul% respon% to the report2 .illanueva invite% hi& to a
conference for the purpose of fin%in' the *est solution to the pen%in' case
*efore the Co&&issionK he an% Gon5ales atten%e% the &eetin' %urin'
which it was a'ree%2 *( wa( of a co&pro&ise2 that the parties will accept
the a&ount of D> 12767 per &etric ton as the nor&al value for all
&a'nesite-*ase% refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an(K when he receive% the
%raft of the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent prepare% *( .illanueva2 he approve%
the sa&eK su*se?uentl(2 .illanueva trans&itte% a co&pro&ise a'ree&ent
alrea%( si'ne% *( hi& to .on Spren'eisen for his review2 approval an%
si'natureK *elievin' that the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent repro%uce% the
contents of the first co&pro&ise a'ree&ent2 he si'ne% the secon%
a'ree&ent without rea%in' itK when he receive%2 on >arch ;2 1$$:2 a cop(
of the %ecision of the 4ariff Co&&ission *ase% on the co&pro&ise
a'ree&ent of the parties wherein the co&&ittee a%opte% the fin%in's an%
reco&&en%ations of the B9S (that the nor&al value of the ship&ent was
D> 12177 per &etric ton)2 he was shoc8e% *ecause he never a'ree% to the
use of such fin%in's for the refor&ation of its price policiesK there was2 in
fact2 an a'ree&ent *etween hi& an% .illanueva to put *ehin% the& the
fin%in's of the B9SK he calle% up .illanueva at his office *ut faile% to contact
hi& %espite several atte&ptsK suspectin' that so&ethin' a&iss happene%2
he ha% the %raft of the first co&pro&ise a'ree&ent retrieve% *ut his
secretar( faile% to locate the sa&eK it was onl( so&eti&e later that his
secretar( foun% the fol%er-file containin' the %raft an% was appalle% to
%iscover that .illanueva ha% su*stantiall( altere% the first %raft of the
co&pro&ise a'ree&entK this &a%e hi& conclu%e an% confir& his suspicion
that .illanueva2 thru %eceit an% frau%2 in%uce% hi& to si'n the co&pro&ise
a'ree&ent to the pre/u%ice of the ,4C.
[17]

4he RC oppose% the &otion. But2 in a parallel &ove2 .illanueva2 in
his capacit( as Senior .ice resi%ent an% Assistant General >ana'er of
RC2 file% a cri&inal co&plaint for per/ur( a'ainst .on Spren'eisen in the
0ffice of the Cit( rosecutor of >anila. Appen%e% thereto was a co&plaint-
affi%avit e+ecute% *( .illanueva wherein he %eclare%2 inter alia2 that .on
Spren'eisen &a%e the followin' false state&ents in the Fr'ent >otion2
thusG

a. [Co&plainant] was the one who calle% up his office2 invitin' hi& to a
&eetin' for the purpose of fin%in' the *est an% &ost e?uita*le solution to the
case (p. <2 Fr'ent >otion)K

*. RC an% ,a&*ur' 4ra%in' a'ree% to put *ehin% the& the fin%in's an%
reco&&en%ations of the Bureau of 9&port Services (B9S) with respect to the
anti-%u&pin' protest file% *( RC (p. <2 Fr'ent >otion)K

c. 4he ori'inal version of the Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent sent to hi& was &erel(
a %raft (p. <2 Fr'ent >otion)K

%. 4he phrase B*ase% on the fin%in's of the Bureau of 9&port ServicesC was
inserte% in para'raph 1 of the final Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent without his
8nowle%'e an% consent (p. <2 Fr'ent >otion)K an%

e. [Co&plainant] was the one who surreptitiousl( inserte% the aforesai% phrase
(p. <2 Fr'ent >otion).
[11]

.illanueva also alle'e% that .on Spren'eisen &a%e the followin'
false state&ents in his Affi%avit of >eritG

a. [Co&plainant] invite% hi& to a conference for the purpose of fin%in' the *est
solution to the caseK

*. [Co&plainant an% he] a'ree% to put *ehin% [the&] the fin%in's an%
reco&&en%ation of the B9S su*&itte% to the Secretar( of 3inanceK

c. Je a'ree% to the a&ount of D> 12767@ton as the nor&al value for all
&a'nesite-*ase% refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an(K

%. 4he ori'inal version of the Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent sent to hi& was &erel( a
%raftK an%

e. 4hrou'h %eceit an% frau%2 [co&plainant] in%uce% [respon%ent] to si'n the
final Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent.
[11]


9n his Counter-Affi%avit2 .on Spren'eisen averre% that whoever
calle% the other for a conference was not a &aterial &atter. Since the first
%raft of the Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent trans&itte% to hi& was *( fa+2 he
as8e% the co&plainant to sen% to hi& the har% cop( of the A'ree&ent for
his si'nature. ,e further narrate% that when he receive% the har% cop( of
the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent2 he %i% not *other to review since he assu&e%
that it containe% the sa&e provisions in the fa+e% cop(. ,e %i% not su''est
that the phrase B*ase% on the fin%in's of the B9SC *e inserte% in the har%
cop( of the a'ree&ent *ecause he an% .illanueva were at o%%s on the B9S
fin%in' the nor&al price of the 'oo%s was D> 12177 per &etric ton. ,e
insiste% that it woul% have *een senseless of hi& to a'ree to such
insertionK as such2 he %i% not &a8e an( willful an% %eli*erate assertion of
an( falsehoo% as to an( &aterial fact.
[1<]

9nvesti'atin' rosecutor 3rancisco G. Supnet foun% no pro*a*le
cause for per/ur( a'ainst the private respon%ent an% reco&&en%e% the
%is&issal of the co&plaint. Secon% Assistant Cit( rosecutor =eoncia
Di&a'i*a reviewe% the resolution of rosecutor Supnet an% foun% pro*a*le
cause for per/ur( a'ainst the private respon%ent for alle'in' in his Affi%avit
of >erit
that he was in%uce% to si'n the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent throu'h frau%
an% %eceit. Accor%in' to the Secon% Assistant Cit( rosecutor2 the
alle'ation of the private respon%ent Bthru %eceit an% frau% to si'n the final
Co&pro&ise A'ree&entC was a %eli*erate assertion of a falsehoo%2
%esi'ne% as it was &erel( to 'ive the B9S the i&pression that private
respon%ent was &isle% into a'reein' to the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent. She
further opine% that the alle'ation was per/urious2 consi%erin' that the
private respon%ent ha% sufficient ti&e to pass upon the Co&pro&ise
A'ree&ent an% coul% have availe% the services of le'al &in%s who coul%
review the ter&s an% con%itions thereof *efore si'nin' the sa&eK
[1;]
hence2
she reco&&en%e% the reversal of rosecutor SupnetAs resolution an% the
filin' of the infor&ation. 4he Cit( rosecutor approve% the
reco&&en%ation of the Secon% Assistant Cit( rosecutor. Accor%in'l(2 an
9nfor&ation for per/ur( was file% a'ainst the private respon%ent with the
>etropolitan 4rial Court of >anila.

4he private respon%ent appeale% the resolution to the Secretar( of
)ustice2 who reverse% the resolution of the Cit( rosecutor on Septe&*er
172 1771. Accor%in' to the )ustice Secretar(2 the co&plainant faile% to
esta*lish the &aterialit( of the alle'e% false assertions an% that the sai%
assertions were willful an% %eli*erate. >oreover2 the alle'ations in the
Affi%avit of >erit are not alto'ether false since the intention of the parties in
e+ecutin' the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent was precisel( to put *ehin% the
rulin' of the B9S2 %espite which the co&plainant inserte% the con%ition that
the parties woul% *e *oun% *( such fin%in's an% reco&&en%ations.
[16]
4he
%ecretal portion of the resolution rea%sG

J,HRH30RH2 the appeale% resolution of the Cit( rosecutor of >anila
is here*( RH.HRSHD. 4he Cit( rosecutor is %irecte% to with%raw the
infor&ation for per/ur( a'ainst respon%ent ,orst--essler von Spren'eisen an% to
report the action ta8en within ten (17) %a(s fro& receipt hereof.

S0 0RDHRHD.
[1#]


.illanueva then file% a petition for certiorari with the CA assailin' the
resolution of the )ustice Secretar(2 alle'in' therein that 'rave a*use of
%iscretion2 a&ountin' to e+cess or lac8 of /uris%iction2 was co&&itte% in
issuin' the sai% resolution.
[1"]
4he private respon%ent2 for his part2 sou'ht
the %is&issal of the petition alle'in' that2 as foun% *( the )ustice Secretar(2
there was no pro*a*le cause a'ainst hi& for per/ur(.
[1:]

0n 3e*ruar( 1<2 177;2 the CA %is&isse% the petition an% affir&e% the
resolution of the )ustice Secretar(.
[1$]

4he CA %eclare% that2 as posite% *( the 0ffice of the Solicitor
General in its co&&ent on the petition2 the parties ha% a'ree% to put
*ehin% the& the fin%in's an% reco&&en%ations of the B9S with respect to
the anti-%u&pin' protest. 4he appellate court state% that its fin%in' is
*uttresse% *( the fact that the a&ount of D> 12767 was not &entione% in
the first co&pro&ise a'ree&ent an% that2 un%er such a'ree&ent2 the ,4C
o*li'e% itself Bto refor&
its pricin' polic( an% structure with respect to refractor( pro%ucts
*ein' i&porte% to an% sol% in the hilippines in accor%ance with the
provisions of R.A. !o. ":;< an% its i&ple&entin' rules an% re?uire&ents.C
4he CA e&phasi5e% that it was incline% to *elieve that there was no
&eetin' of the &in%s of the parties when the petitioner inserte% the phrase
B*ase% on the fin%in's of the B9SC in the revise% co&pro&ise a'ree&entK
hence2 there coul% not have *een per/ur( when the private respon%ent
e+ecute% the Affi%avit of >erit an% the Fr'ent >otion to Set Asi%e an%@or
.acate )u%'&ent. 4he CA also a'ree% with the fin%in's of the Secretar( of
)ustice that the insertion of the con%ition in the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent that
the parties woul% *e *oun% *( the B9S fin%in's an% reco&&en%ation 'ave
the private respon%ent reason to *elieve that he was %eceive% *( the
petitioner into si'nin' the A'ree&entK as such2 the private respon%entAs
alle'ation in his Affi%avit of >erit2 that he was in%uce% to si'nin' the
Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent throu'h frau% an% %eceit2 was not alto'ether
false. Conse?uentl(2 the CA rule%2 the private respon%ent %i% not &a8e
an( willful an% %eli*erate assertion of a falsehoo%.
[17]
4he appellate court
confor&e% to the %is?uisitions of the Secretar( of )ustice in the assaile%
resolution an% conclu%e% that the private respon%ent %i% not2 in the Affi%avit
of >erit2 &a8e a willful an% %eli*erate assertion of a falsehoo%.
[11]

A''rieve%2 the petitioner file% a petition for review on certiorari with
this Court a'ainst private respon%ent .on Spren'eisen an% the Secretar(
of )ustice2 insistin' that the CA co&&itte% 'rave a*use of %iscretion
a&ountin' to e+cess or lac8 of /uris%iction in %is&issin' the petition an%
affir&in' the assaile% resolution.

4he petitioner &aintains that2 %urin' the preli&inar( investi'ation2 he
a%%uce% su*stantial evi%ence to prove pro*a*le cause for per/ur( a'ainst
the private respon%ent. ,e &aintains that pro*a*le cause %oes not &ean
actual an% positive causesK nor %oes it i&port a*solute certaint(. 9t is
&erel( *ase% on opinion an% reasona*le *elief. 9t is enou'h that it is
*elieve% that the act or o&ission co&plaine% of constitutes the offense
char'e%. ,e avers that2 contrar( to the clai& of the private respon%ent in
his Affi%avit of >erit2 the &eetin' *etween hi& an% )esus Bor'onio2 on the
one han%2 an% the private respon%ent an% ,4C Sales >ana'er Dennis
Gon5ales2 on the other2 was arran'e% *( the latter an% not *( hi&. As
'leane% fro& the %raft an% final copies of the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent2 the
parties &a%e e+press reference to the prima facie fin%in's of the B9S that
the actual e+port price of ,4C was *elow the fair &ar8et value. B(
a'reein' that such fin%in's of the B9S *e inclu%e% in the Co&pro&ise
A'ree&ent2 the sai% private respon%ent i&plie%l( a'ree% to such fin%in's
as *asis of the price for which ,4C woul% sell the Ger&an-&a%e
&a'nesite-*ase% refractor( *ric8s in the hilippines. 4he petitioner avers
that the fact that the a&ount of D> 12767 per &etric ton was not specificall(
&entione% in the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent was of no i&portance2
consi%erin' the partiesA acceptance of such fin%in's is *ase% on R.A. !o.
":;<. ,e points out that the private respon%ent coul% not have faile% to
notice the %ifference *etween the first %raft an% the final cop( of the
a'ree&ent *efore si'nin' it *ecause2 as alle'e% *( =ino Gutierre5 in his
repl( affi%avit2 it too8 the private respon%ent twent( &inutes or so after
receivin' the a'ree&ent to review the final %raft *efore si'nin' it.
>oreover2 the Fr'ent >otion to Set Asi%e an%@or .acate )u%'&ent si'ne%
*( the private respon%ent was file% &ore than 16 &onths fro& the
e+ecution of the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent an% after four &onths fro& the
4ariff Co&&issionAs approval thereof.

4he petitioner ar'ues that it is incre%i*le that %urin' the interregnum
of 1$ &onths2 the private respon%ent faile% to %iscover the
revisions@insertions in the final %raft of the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent.
Consi%erin' the pre&ises2 the petitioner su*&its2 the private respon%entAs
filin' of the Fr'ent >otion for an% in *ehalf of ,4C was &erel( an
afterthou'ht2 to ena*le the latter to escape co&pliance with the ter&s an%
con%itions of the A'ree&ent.

4he petitioner further insists that the insertion of the conteste%
phrase in the final %raft of the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent was necessar(
althou'h it &a( not *e in the *est interest of ,4C. ,e posits that the
falsehoo%s &a%e *( the private respon%ent in his Fr'ent >otion an%
Affi%avit of >erit were &aterial to the procee%in's in the Anti-Du&pin'
0ffice of the 4ariff Co&&ission *ecause these were use% to set asi%e the
co&pro&ise a'ree&ent e+ecute% *( the parties.

9n his Co&&ent on the petition2 the private respon%ent avers that the
issues raise% *( the petitioner are factual2 hence2 i&proper in a petition for
review on certiorari un%er Rule ;6 of the Rules of Court. 4he %eter&ination
of the e+istence of a pro*a*le cause is pri&aril( an a%&inistrative sanction
of the Secretar( of )ustice. ,e insists that the fin%in's of the )ustice
Secretar( shoul% *e accor%e% 'reat respect2 especiall( since the sa&e
were uphel% *( the CA. ,e asserts that the petitioner faile% to esta*lish in
the CA an% in this Court that the )ustice Secretar( co&&itte% a 'rave
a*use of %iscretion a&ountin' to e+cess or lac8 of /uris%iction in her
resolution.

4he petition has no &erit.

4he pivotal issue in this case is factual L whether or not2 *ase% on the
recor%s2 there was pro*a*le cause for the private respon%entAs in%ict&ent
for per/ur(.

Rule ;6 of the Rules of Court provi%es that onl( ?uestions of fact &a(
*e raise% in a petition for review on certiorari. 3in%in's of facts of a ?uasi-
/u%icial a'enc(2 as affir&e% *( the CA2 are 'enerall( conclusive on the
Court2 unless co'ent facts an% circu&stances of such a nature warrantin'
the &o%ification or reversal of the assaile% %ecision were i'nore%2
&isun%erstoo% or &isinterprete%. 4hus2 the Court &a( %elve into an%
resolve factual issues in e+ceptional cases. 4he petitioner has faile% to
esta*lish that an( such circu&stance is present in the case at *ar.
[11]

4he Court fin%s that the pu*lic respon%ent %i% not co&&it an( 'rave
a*use of %iscretion a&ountin' to e+cess or lac8 of /uris%iction in issuin' the
assaile% resolution2 an% that the CA %i% not co&&it an( reversi*le error in
its assaile% %ecision an% resolution. 9f at all the pu*lic respon%ent erre% in
issuin' the assaile% resolution2 such is &erel( an error in the e+ercise of
/uris%iction2 reversi*le *( a petition for review un%er Rule ;< of the Rules of
Court especiall( so where2 as in this case2 the issues *efore the CA were
factual an% not le'al. 4he a*sence or e+istence of pro*a*le cause in a
'iven case involves a cali*ration an% a ree+a&ination of the evi%ence
a%%uce% *( the parties *efore the 0ffice of the Cit( rosecutor of >anila
an% the pro*ative wei'ht thereof. 4he CA thus rule% correctl( when it
%is&isse% the petition *efore it.

ro*a*le cause2 for purposes of filin' a cri&inal infor&ation2 has
*een %efine% as such facts as are sufficient to en'en%er a well-foun%e%
*elief that a cri&e has *een co&&itte% an% that the private respon%ent is
pro*a*l( 'uilt( thereof. 9t is such a state of facts in the &in% of the
prosecutor as woul% lea% a person of or%inar( caution an% pru%ence to
*elieve or entertain an honest or stron' suspicion that a thin' is so. 4he
ter& %oes not &ean Bactual or positive causeKC nor %oes it i&port a*solute
certaint(. 9t is &erel( *ase% on opinion an% reasona*le *elief. 4hus2 a
fin%in' of pro*a*le cause %oes not re?uire an in?uir( into whether there is
sufficient evi%ence to procure a conviction. 9t is enou'h that it is *elieve%
that the act or o&ission co&plaine% of constitutes the offense char'e%.
recisel(2 there is a trial for the reception of evi%ence of the prosecution in
support of the char'e.C
[1<]

4he %eter&ination of its e+istence lies within the %iscretion of the
prosecutin' officers after con%uctin' a preli&inar( investi'ation upon
co&plaint of an offen%e% part(.
[1;]
4he Resolution of the Secretar( of
)ustice %eclarin' the a*sence or e+istence of a pro*a*le cause affir&e% *(
the CA is accor%e% hi'h respect. ,owever2 such fin%in' &a( *e nullifie%
where 'rave a*use of %iscretion a&ountin' to e+cess or lac8 of /uris%iction
is esta*lishe%.
[16]

er/ur( is %efine% an% penali5e% in Article 1:< of the Revise% enal
Co%e2 thusG

Art. 1:<. 3alse testi&on( in other cases an% per/ur( in sole&n
affir&ation. 4he penalt( of arresto mayor in its &a+i&u& perio% to prision
correccional in its &ini&u& perio% shall *e i&pose% upon an( person who2
8nowin'l( &a8in' untruthful state&ents an% not *ein' inclu%e% in the provisions
of the ne+t prece%in' articles2 shall testif( un%er oath or &a8e an affi%avit upon
an( &aterial &atter *efore a co&petent person authori5e% to a%&inister an oath
in cases in which the law so re?uires.

An( person who2 in case of a sole&n affir&ation &a%e in lieu of an oath2
shall co&&it an( of the falsehoo%s &entione% in this an% the three prece%in'
articles of this section shall suffer the respective penalties provi%e% therein.

er/ur( is an o*struction of /usticeK its perpetration &a( affect the
earnest concerns of the parties *efore a tri*unal. 4he felon( is
consu&&ate% when the false state&ent is &a%e.
[1#]
4he se&inal &o%ern treat&ent of the histor( of per/ur( conclu%es that
one consi%eration of polic( oversha%ows all others L the &easures ta8en
a'ainst the offense &ust not *e so severe as to %iscoura'e a''rieve%
parties fro& lo%'in' co&plaints or testif(in'.
[1"]
As ?uote% *( Dean
Ji'&ore2 a lea%in' 1$th Centur( Co&&entator2 note% that Hn'lish law2
Bthrows ever( fence roun% a person accuse% of per/ur(2 for the o*li'ation of
protectin' witnesses fro& oppression or anno(ance2 *( char'es2 or threats
of char'es2 of havin' &a%e false testi&on( is far para&ount to that of
'ivin' even per/ur( its %eserts.C
[1:]

er/ur( is the willful an% corrupt assertion of a falsehoo% un%er oath
or affir&ation a%&inistere% *( authorit( of law on a &aterial &atter.
[1$]
4he
ele&ents of the felon( areG
(a) 4hat the accuse% &a%e a state&ent un%er oath or e+ecute% an
affi%avit upon a &aterial &atter.

(*) 4hat the state&ent or affi%avit was &a%e *efore a co&petent
officer2 authori5e% to receive an% a%&inister oath.

(c) 4hat in that state&ent or affi%avit2 the accuse% &a%e a willful an%
%eli*erate assertion of a falsehoo%.

(%) 4hat the sworn state&ent or affi%avit containin' the falsit( is
re?uire% *( law or &a%e for a le'al purpose.
[<7]

A &ere assertion of a false o*/ective fact2 a falsehoo%2 is not enou'h.
4he assertion &ust *e %eli*erate an% willful.
[<1]
er/ur( *ein' a felon( *(
dolo2 there &ust *e &alice on the part of the accuse%.
[<1]
Jillfull( &eans
intentionall(K with evil intent an% le'al &alice2 with the consciousness that
the alle'e% per/urious state&ent is false with the intent that it shoul% *e
receive% as a state&ent of what was true in fact. 9t is e?uivalent to
B8nowin'l(.C BDeli*eratel(C i&plies &e%itate% as %istin'uishe% fro&
ina%vertent acts.
[<<]
9t &ust appear that the accuse% 8nows his state&ent to
*e false or as consciousl( i'norant of its truth.
[<;]

er/ur( cannot *e willful where the oath is accor%in' to *elief or
conviction as to its truth. A false state&ent of a *elief is not per/ur(. Bona
fide *elief in the truth of a state&ent is an a%e?uate %efense.
[<6]
A false
state&ent which is o*viousl( the result of an honest &ista8e is not per/ur(.

4here are two essential ele&ents of proof for per/ur(G (1) the
state&ent &a%e *( the %efen%ants &ust *e proven falseK an% (1) it &ust *e
proven that the %efen%ant %i% not *elieve those state&ents to *e true.
[<#]

-nowle%'e *( the accuse% of the falsit( of his state&ent is an internal
act. 9t &a( *e prove% *( his a%&issions or *( circu&stantial evi%ence.
4he state of &in% of the accuse% &a( *e %eter&ine% *( the thin's he sa(s
an% %oes2 fro& proof of a &otive to lie an% of the o*/ective falsit( itself2 an%
fro& other facts ten%in' to show that the accuse% reall( 8new the thin's he
clai&e% not to 8now.
[<"]

A conviction for per/ur( cannot *e sustaine% &erel( upon the
contra%ictor( sworn state&ents of the accuse%. 4he prosecution &ust
prove which of the two state&ents is false an% &ust show the state&ent to
*e false *( other evi%ence than the contra%ictin' state&ent.
[<:]
4he
rationale of this principle is thusG

M roof that accuse% has 'iven contra%ictor( testi&on( un%er oath at a
%ifferent ti&e will not *e sufficient to esta*lish the falsit( of testi&on( char'e% as
per/ur(2 for this woul% leave si&pl( one oath of the %efen%ant as a'ainst another2
an% it woul% not appear that the testi&on( char'e% was false rather than the
testi&on( contra%ictor( thereof. 4he two state&ents will si&pl( neutrali5e each
otherK there &ust *e so&e corro*oration of the contra%ictor( testi&on(. Such
corro*oration2 however2 &a( *e furnishe% *( evi%ence aliunde ten%in' to show
per/ur( in%epen%entl( of the %eclarations of testi&on( of the accuse%.
[<$]


4he ter& B&aterial &atterC is the &ain fact su*/ect of the in?uir(2 or
an( circu&stance which ten%s to prove that fact2 or an( fact or
circu&stance which ten%s to corro*orate or stren'then the testi&on(
relate% to the su*/ect of the in?uir(2 or which le'iti&atel( affects the
cre%ence of an( witness who testifie%. 9n this case2 a &atter is &aterial if it
has a &aterial effect or ten%enc( to influence the Co&&ission in resolvin'
the &otion of ,4C one wa( or the other. 4he effects of the state&ent are
wei'he% in ter&s of potentialit( rather than pro*a*ilit(.
[;7]
4he prosecution
nee% not prove that the false testi&on( actuall( influence% the
Co&&ission.
[;1]

4he private respon%ent %i% err when he %eclare%2 in the &otion of the
,4C an% his affi%avit2 that it was the petitioner who invite% hi& to a
conference. 4he truth of the &atter is that it was Gon5ales who %i% so.
!onetheless2 the issue of who calle% for a conference is of de minimis
i&portance *ecause2 after all2 the parties a'ree% to &eet after havin' *een
pro%%e% *( the Chair&an of the Co&&ission to settle the case instea% of
'oin' throu'h the tri*ulations an% e+penses of a protracte% liti'ation. !o
a%verse inference (relate% to the &erits of their respective contention in this
case) can *e ascri*e% as to whoever calle% the conference. After all2
parties are even ur'e% to settle cases a&ica*l(.

Besi%es2 as correctl( %eclare% *( the Secon% Assistant Cit(
rosecutor in her resolutionG

4he alle'ation that it was co&plainant who invite% respon%ent to the
&eetin' &a( not *e a %eli*erate lie. Respon%ent &a( not have 8nown who
arran'e% the &eetin'2 *ut as he was a*le to tal8 to co&plainant2 he presu&e%
that it was co&plainant who e+ten%e% the invitation. >oreover2 the i%entit( of the
one who initiate% the &eetin' is not &aterial consi%erin' that there was a
&eetin' of the &in%s of the arties.
[;1]


4he Court also a'rees with the contention of the private respon%ent
that the cop( of the first a'ree&ent trans&itte% to hi& was a fa+ cop( of the
%raft2 an% that2 contrar( to the alle'ations of the private respon%ent2 such
a'ree&ent was prepare% *( Bor'onia an% not *( the petitioner. As
'leane% fro& pa'e two of the a'ree&ent2 the particulars of the resi%ence
certificates of the petitioner an% the private respon%ent were not
t(pewritten2 hence2 cannot as (et *e notari5e%. As clai&e% *( the private
respon%ent2 a cop( was trans&itte% to hi& for his personal review2 an% if
he foun% it to *e in or%er2 the petitioner an% Bor'onia woul% prepare an%
si'n the a'ree&ent an% 'ive it *ac8 to hi& for review an% si'nature2 with
the particulars of his co&&unit( ta+ certificate in%icate% in the final cop(.

Fn%enia*l(2 the i%entit( of the person who prepare% or cause% to
prepare the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent su*se?uentl( si'ne% *( the petitioner
an% the private respon%ent was of pri&e i&portance because only such
person should be charged for perjury. 4he private respon%ent erroneousl(
state% in his Affi%avit of >erit an% Fr'ent >otion that it was the petitioner
who prepare% the a'ree&ent that was si'ne% *( the parties. 9t turne% out
that it was Bor'onia who prepare% the first an% the secon% copies.
,owever2 the private respon%ent cannot *e hel% lia*le for per/ur( since it
was Bor'onia who prepare% the a'ree&ent an% not the petitioner. 4he
Court a'rees with the followin' contention of the private respon%ent in his
counter-affi%avitG

;.# Jhile co&plainant clai&s that it was not he *ut >r. Bor'onia who &a%e the
insertions2 there is no %ou*t that2 in%ee%2 the insertions were &a%e into the
%ocu&ent. Since co&plainant is the si'nator( to the Co&pro&ise
A'ree&ent2 it is *ut natural for one to presu&e that he ha% &a%e the
insertions. At the sa&e ti&e2 9 can not *e e+pecte% to 8now that it was >r.
Bor'onia2 as clai&e% *( co&plainant2 who &a%e such insertions.
[;<]

9n%ee%2 Bor'onia was &erel( the >ana'er of the >ana'e&ent
9nfor&ation Group of RC2 whereas the petitioner was no less than its
Senior .ice resi%ent an% Assistant General >ana'er2 Bor'oniaAs
superior. Fnless an% until approve% *( the petitioner2 an( a'ree&ent
prepare% *( Bor'onia was &erel( a piece of paper2 *arren of an( le'al
effect. 9n this case2 the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent prepare% *( Bor'onia ha%
the petitionerAs
imprimatur. Bor'onia was &erel( a witness to the a'ree&ent. 3or all
le'al intents an% purposes2 the petitioner ha% the co&pro&ise a'ree&ent
prepare% un%er his supervision an% control. 9t cannot thus *e conclu%e%
that the private respon%ent &a%e a %eli*erate falsehoo% when he alle'e%
that the a'ree&ent was prepare% *( the petitioner.

4he Court is not persua%e% *( the petitionerAs clai& that2 %urin' the
conference2 he an% the private respon%ent a'ree% that2 *ase% on the B9S
report2 the nor&al value of the i&porte% refractor( *ric8s per &etric ton was
D> 121772 an% that such report woul% *e use% as *asis for the revision of
the price polic( an% structure of ,4C.

9t *ears stressin' that2 %urin' the conference2 the petitioner an% the
private respon%ent ha% a'ree% on three aspects of the caseG (1) *ase% on
the prima facie fin%in's of the B9S2 the nor&al value of the 'oo%s per &eter
ton was D> 12177 an% that the actual e+port price of ,4C was *elow the
fair &ar8et valueK (1) to ter&inate the case2 ,4C will have to a%/ust an%
revise its price polic( an% structure for i&porte% refractor( *ric8s to confor&
to R.A. !o. ":;< an% rules an% re'ulations i&ple&entin' the lawK an% (<) if
,4C fails or refuses to co&pl( with its un%erta8in'2 RC will *e entitle% to a
writ of e+ecution without nee% of %e&an%. ,owever2 the petitioner an% the
private respon%ent coul% not have a'ree% on such *ase priceK the
petitioner insiste% on the a&ount reco&&en%e% *( the B9S (D> 12177)
while the private respon%ent insiste% on D> $67. 4here was an i&passe.
B( wa( of a co&pro&ise2 the parties a'ree% to %o awa( with the B9S
reco&&en%e% *ase
value an% a'ree% for ,4C to *ase the nor&al value of the i&portation
per &etric ton un%er R.A. !o. ":;< an% the rules issue% i&ple&entin' the
law. 4his is 'leane% fro& the affi%avit of Bor'oniaG

1<. Durin' the &eetin'2 >r. von Spren'eisen su''este% that the
value of D> 12767@ton *e applie% as the price at which ,a&*ur' 4ra%in' woul%
sell Ger&an-&a%e &a'nesite-*ase% refractor( *ric8s in the hilippines. >r.
.illanueva %i% not a'ree to the su''este% value2 as we consi%ere% it low. 9n the
en%2 *oth parties %eci%e% to *ase the %eter&ination of the price on the provisions
of Repu*lic Act !o. ":;< an% its i&ple&entin' rules an% re'ulations. M
[;;]


Bor'onia prepare% the first co&pro&ise a'ree&ent an% incorporate%
therein the a'ree&ent of the petitioner an% the private respon%ent arrive%
at %urin' the conference2 thusG

1. 3or the purpose of *u(in' peace an% *( wa( of concession in or%er to en%
liti'ation2 the SHC0!D AR4I un%erta8es an% co&&its to refor& its pricin'
polic( an% structure with respect to refractor( pro%ucts *ein' i&porte%
interest sol% in the hilippines in accor%ance with the provisions of Repu*lic
Act ":;< an% its i&ple&entin' rules an% re'ulations.
[;6]

9f2 as clai&e% *( the petitioner in his Affi%avit-Co&plaint2 he an% the
private respon%ent ha% a'ree% that ,4C will use as *asis for its price polic(
an% structural revision2 the B9S report2 for sure2 Bor'onia woul% have
incorporate% the sai% a'ree&ent in the first co&pro&ise a'ree&ent. ,e
%i% not2 an% Bor'onia has not offere% an( e+planation for such failure. 4he
petitioner si'ne% the %raft of the a'ree&ent without an( plaint or revision. 9t
was onl( in the secon% co&pro&ise a'ree&ent that was later si'ne% *( the
petitioner an% the private respon%ent that Bor'onia incorporate% the phrase
B*ase% on the fin%in's of the B9S.C Bor'onia an% the petitioner &a%e
the insertion on their own2 without the a priori consent of the private
respon%ent.

4he Court is not convince% *( the petitionerAs contention (an% that of
Bor'onia in his Affi%avit) that the petitioner an% the private respon%ent ha%
a'ree% to leave the final %eter&ination of the *ase value or price of
i&portation per &etric ton to a thir% part( (B9S). 4he private respon%ent
coul% not have a'ree% to the use of the B9S report *ecause2 as &entione%2
he ha% strenuousl( o*/ecte% to its use as *asis for the revision of its price
polic( an% structure. 3or ,4C to a%&it that the B9S fin%in' of D> 12177 per
&etric ton was the nor&al value of the refractor( *ric8s fro& Ger&an( for
the purpose of resolvin' the anti-%u&pin' case is one thin'K *ut for ,4C to
a'ree to *e *oun% *( the B9S reco&&en%ation for the purpose of revisin'
its price polic( an% structure is co&pletel( a %ifferent &atter.

Jith the petitioner an% the private respon%entAs a%&ission of the
prima facie fin%in's of the B9S2 the Co&&ission can prepare its
reco&&en%ation to the Special Co&&ittee on the protest of the RC to the
,4C i&portation su*/ect of the case. 4hereafterG

D. 4he Special Co&&ittee shall2 within fifteen (16) %a(s after receipt
of the report of the Co&&ission2 %eci%e whether the article in ?uestion is *ein'
i&porte% in violation of this section an% shall 'ive %ue notice of such %ecision. 9n
case the %ecision of %u&pin' is in the affir&ative2 the special co&&ittee shall
%irect the Co&&issioner of Custo&s to cause the %u&pin' %ut(2 to *e levie%2
collecte% an% pai%2 as prescri*e% in this section2 in a%%ition to an( other %uties2
ta+es an% char'es i&pose% *( law on such article2 an% on the articles of the
sa&e specific 8in% or class su*se?uentl( i&porte% un%er si&ilar circu&stances
co&in' fro& the specific countr(.

9n the event that the Special Co&&ittee fails to %eci%e within the perio%
prescri*e% herein2 the reco&&en%ation of the Co&&ission shall *e %ee&e%
approve% an% shall *e final an% e+ecutor(.
[;#]

0n the &atter of the revision or a%/ust&ent of the price polic( an%
structure of ,4C2 the parties ha% a'ree% to acco&plish the sa&e in %ue
ti&e. 9t 'oes without sa(in' that the RC retaine% the ri'ht to o*/ect to or
protest to the price polic( an% structure revision of ,4C.

4he a'ree&ent of the petitioner an% the private respon%ent not to *e
*oun% *( the *ase value in the B9S report for the revision of its price polic(
an% structure is not une+pecte% *ecauseG (1) the fin%in's of the B9S are
onl( prima facie2 &eanin' to sa(2 not conclusive2 an% ,4C was accor%e% a
chance to *ase its price polic( an% structure on evi%ence an% infor&ations
other than those containe% in the B9S reportK (1) the nor&al value of the
i&porte% refractor( *ric8s &a( fluctuate fro& ti&e to ti&e2 hence2 the nee%
for an( i&porter to revise its price polic( an% structure fro& ti&e to ti&eK
an% (<) the *ase value to *e use% *( ,4C in revisin' its price polic( woul%
*e scrutini5e% an% resolve% initiall( *( the Co&&ission2 *( the Special
Co&&ittee an% *( the Court of 4a+ Appeals on appeal.

4he process a'ree% upon *( the petitioner an% the private
respon%ent was not onl( practical an% fair2 *ut in accor% with law as well.

9n fine2 the private respon%ent %i% not co&&it an( falsehoo% in the
Fr'ent >otion an% his Affi%avit of >erit when he %eclare% that he an% the
petitioner put *ehin% the& the B9S report2 an% a'ree% to use R.A. !o.
":;< an% the rules an% re'ulations i&ple&entin' the sa&e to %eter&ine
the *ase price for the revision of the price polic( an% structure of ,4C.

A%&itte%l(2 the respon%ent %i% not o*/ect to the offen%in' phrase
*efore an% after si'nin' the a'ree&ent an% for a consi%era*le stretch
perio% until ,4C file% its &otion. ,owever2 we %o not a'ree with the
contention of the petitioner that such failure of the respon%ent to o*/ect to
the offen%in' phrase for such perio% of ti&e a&ounte% to an a%&ission
that2 in%ee%2 the private respon%ent was aware of the offen%in' phrase in
the A'ree&ent2 an% to his a'ree&ent theretoK an% estoppe% the private
respon%ent fro& alle'in' that he was %eceive% *( the petitioner into si'nin'
the Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent. 9n his appeal to the D0)2 the private
respon%ent %eclare% thatG

<.$ 4rue2 respon%ent-appellant &a( have *een re&iss an% lac8in' in
circu&spect in failin' to review the har% cop( Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent an% notice
the insertion. Bein' in the tra%in' *usiness2 respon%ent-appellant personall(
han%les hun%re%s of %ocu&ents %ail( an% is on the telephone for &ost of the %a(
co&&unicatin' with suppliers an% custo&ers. An% he ha% no reason to *elieve
that either co&plainant-appellee or >r. Bor'onia woul% &a8e such an insertion2
especiall( after respon%ent-appellant ha% accepte% the fa+ Co&pro&ise
A'ree&ent wor%in' an% conve(e% such acceptance to co&plainant-appelleeAs
office. Respon%ent-appellant also ha% to reason to even thin8 that such a
surreptitious insertion woul% *e &a%eK after all2 he ha% a ver( war& an% frien%l(
&eetin' with co&plainant-appellee an% >r. Bor'onia an% ca&e out of it with a
feelin' that he coul% trust co&plainant-appellee (p. ;2 Anne+ BCC).

<.17 ,ence2 when respon%ent-appellant alle'es that he was in%uce% to
si'n the har% cop( Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent throu'h frau% an% %eceit2
respon%ent-appellant honestl( *elieves that he was &isle% into si'nin' it. ,e
was &isle% *( the fact that he ha% *een sent the fa+ Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent *(
co&plainant-appellee2 that he ha% conve(e% its accepta*ilit( to co&plainant-
appellee an% now re?ueste% for the har% cop( for e+ecution2 that he ha% *een
le% to trust that the fin%in's an% reco&&en%ation of the B9S were *ein' put
*ehin% the& an% that co&plainant-appellee ha% a'ree% to such a co&pro&ise.
4he trans&ittal of the har% cop( Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent2 without an( notice or
&ention *( co&plainant-appellee or co&plainant-appelleeAs office that it
containe%
insertions or wor%in' %ifferent fro& the fa+ Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent2 an%
on respon%ent-appellantAs un%erstan%in' that the wor%in' of the har% cop(
Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent woul% *e e+actl( the sa&e as the fa+ Co&pro&ise
A'ree&ent2 constitutes the frau% or %eceit alle'e%l( *( respon%ent-appellant.
[;"]

9n his re/oin%er-affi%avit2 the private respon%ent e+plaine% thatG

1. A'ain2 contrar( to the alle'ations in the Repl(-Affi%avits2 9 was una*le to
review the Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent %elivere% *( >r. Gutierre5 on 11 April
1$$" as 9 was *us( with nu&erous calls an% *usiness at the ti&e it was
%elivere%. Also2 9 ha% *een le% to *elieve in our &eetin's with >r.
.illanueva an% >r. Bor'onia that 9 coul% trust the&. So2 after havin' seen
the fa+ Co&pro&ise A'ree&ent an% *ein' a&ena*le to it2 9 truste% that the(
woul% sen% a 'enuine har% cop(. As it turne% out2 9 was &ista8en.
[;:]


>oreover2 even *efore filin' the Fr'ent >otion an% si'nin' the
Affi%avit of >erit2 the private respon%ent trie% for several ti&es to contact
the petitioner2 *ut the latter faile% to return his calls. 4his reinforce% the
suspicion of the private respon%ent that the insertion of the offen%in'
phrase was not2 after all2 ina%vertent *ut %eli*erate2 calculate% to %eceive
hi& to the pre/u%ice of ,4C. 4he private respon%ent &a( *e *la&e% for
puttin' too &uch trust an% confi%ence on the petitioner2 *ut he certainl(
cannot *e in%icte% for per/ur( for lac8 of pro*a*le cause.

4he petitioner faile% to appen% to his petition recor%s of the
Co&&ission that the private respon%ent appeare% for ,4C2 on >a( $2
1$$"2 *efore the Co&&ission for the hearin' on the Co&pro&ise
A'ree&entK an% showin' that the private respon%ent %i% not o*/ect thereto.



IN LIGHT OF ALL THE FOREGOING2 the petition is DENIED for lac8
of &erit. 4he assaile% Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. S !o.
"#$$$ is AFFIRMED. Costs a'ainst the petitioner.

SO ORDERED.


ROMEO J. CALLEJO, SR.
Asso(iate !%sti(e



HE CONCUR:



REYNATO S. PUNO
Asso(iate !%sti(e
Chair$an



MA. ALICIA AUSTRIA%MARTINEZ DANTE O. TINGA
Asso(iate !%sti(e Asso(iate !%sti(e


On &ea/e
MINITA V. CHICO%NAZARIO
Associate )ustice


A T T E S T A T I O N


9 attest that the conclusions in the a*ove Decision were reache% in
consultation *efore the case was assi'ne% to the writer of the opinion of the
CourtAs Division.



REYNATO S. PUNO
Associate )ustice
Chair&an2 Secon% Division



C E R T I F I C A T I O N


ursuant to Section 1<2 Article .999 of the Constitution2 an% the
Division Chair&anAs Attestation2 it is here*( certifie% that the conclusions in
the a*ove %ecision were reache% in consultation *efore the case was
assi'ne% to the writer of the opinion of the CourtAs Division.




HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.
Chief )ustice


*
On leave.
[1]
Penned b !""#$%a&e '("&%$e !nd)e" *. +ee", ')., -%&. !""#$%a&e '("&%$e" *(enaven&()a '. /(e))e)#
and +e0alad# E. 1aa2b#n0, $#n$())%n03 Rollo, 44. 285!544.
[2]
Se$&%#n 3 #6 +e4(bl%$ !$& N#. 7843 )ead"7
SEC. 3. Se$&%#n 301, Pa)& 2, 8%&le II, *##9 I #6 &.e 8a)%66 and C("&#2" C#de #6 &.e P.%l%44%ne", a"
a2ended, %" .e)eb 6()&.e) a2ended &# )ead a" 6#ll#-"7
:SEC. 301. Dumping Duty. ;
:!. <.eneve) &.e Se$)e&a) #6 =%nan$e #) &.e Se$)e&a) #6 8)ade and Ind("&) >.e)e%na6&e)
$alled &.e ?Se$)e&a)@A )e$e%ve" an an&%5d(24%n0 4e&%&%#n 6)#2 &.e d#2e"&%$ %nd("&) #) &.e
Se$)e&a) .a" )ea"#n &# bel%eve, 6)#2 an %nv#%$e #) #&.e) d#$(2en& #) ne-"4a4e), 2a0aB%ne #)
%n6#)2a&%#n #) &)an"la&%#n &.e)e#6 b an )e4(&able lan0(a0e &)an"la&#) 2ade ava%lable b an
0#ve)n2en& a0en$ #) %n&e)e"&ed 4a)&, &.a& a "4e$%6%$ 9%nd #) $la"" #6 6#)e%0n a)&%$le, %" be%n0
%24#)&ed %n&#, #) "#ld #) %" l%9el &# be "#ld %n &.e P.%l%44%ne" a& a 4)%$e le"" &.an %&" n#)2al val(e,
&.e %24#)&a&%#n #) "ale #6 -.%$. 2%0.& %nC()e, #) )e&a)d &.e e"&abl%".2en& #6, #) %" l%9el &# %nC()e an
%nd("&) 4)#d($%n0 l%9e a)&%$le" %n &.e P.%l%44%ne", &.e Se$)e&a) ".all, -%&.%n &-en& >20A da" 6)#2
)e$e%4& #6 "($. 4e&%&%#n #) %n6#)2a&%#n, de&e)2%ne a prima facie $a"e #6 d(24%n0. <%&.%n 6%ve >5A
da" 6)#2 "($. )e$e%4&, .e ".all n#&%6 &.e 4)#&e"&ee5%24#)&e) and )eD(%)e .%2 &# "(b2%& -%&.%n &en
>10A da" 6)#2 "($. n#&%$e ev%den$e 6)#2 &.e 4)#d($e) #6 &.e %24#)&ed a)&%$le d(l a(&.en&%$a&ed b
&.e P.%l%44%ne $#n"(la) #) &)ade #66%$e &# "(44#)& &.e n#)2al val(e #6 "($. 4)#d($&. I6 n# "($.
ev%den$e %" "(b2%&&ed -%&.%n &.e 4)e"$)%bed 4e)%#d, &.e Se$)e&a) ".all ba"e .%" de$%"%#n #n &.e
ava%lable 4e)&%nen& da&a.
:Pend%n0 de&e)2%na&%#n #6 a prima facie $a"e #6 d(24%n0, &.e 4e&%&%#ne) 2a 4e&%&%#n &.a& &.e
)elea"e 6)#2 &.e *()ea( #6 C("&#2" #6 &.e alle0ed d(24ed 4)#d($& be -%&..eld. I6 &.e Se$)e&a)
de&e)2%ne" &.a& #n &.e 6a$e #6 &.e 4e&%&%#n and d#$(2en&" 4)e"en&ed, &.e)e eE%"&" an %22%nen&
dan0e) #6 %nC() &# a 4a)&%$(la) %nd("&) a" a )e"(l& #6 &.e alle0ed d(24%n0, .e ".all d%)e$& &.e
C#22%""%#ne) #6 C("&#2" &# .#ld &.e )elea"e #6 &.e D(e"&%#ned %24#)&a&%#n, (4#n 6%l%n0 b &.e
4e&%&%#ne) #6 a b#nd eD(al &# &.e alle0ed 2a)0%n #6 d(24%n0. 8.e b#nd ".all an"-e) 6#) da2a0e"
-.%$. &.e %24#)&e) 2a "(66e) a" a )e"(l& #6 &.e .#ld%n0 #6 &.e )elea"e #6 &.e D(e"&%#ned
%24#)&a&%#n, %n $a"e &.e Se$)e&a) 6%nd" &.a& &.e)e %" n# prima facie $a"e. F#-eve), &.e 4e&%&%#ne)@"
l%ab%l%& 6#) da2a0e" ".all n#& eE$eed &.e a2#(n& #6 .%" b#nd. 8.%" b#nd ".all be $an$elled #n$e a
prima facie $a"e .a" been de&e)2%ned b &.e Se$)e&a). 8.e Se$)e&a) 2a, motu proprio, .#ld
&.e )elea"e #6 &.e D(e"&%#ned a)&%$le" ba"ed #n .%" %n6#)2a&%#n &.a& an %22%nen& dan0e) #6 %nC()
eE%"&" &# a 4a)&%$(la) %nd("&) a" a )e"(l& #6 &.e alle0ed d(24%n0.
:8.e Se$)e&a) (4#n &.e de&e)2%na&%#n #6 a prima facie $a"e #6 d(24%n0 ".all "# adv%"e &.e
8a)%66 C#22%""%#n >.e)e%na6&e) $alled &.e ?C#22%""%#n@A and ".all %n"&)($& &.e C#22%""%#ne) #6
C("&#2" &# .#ld &.e )elea"e #6 &.e 0##d" #) a)&%$le" %n D(e"&%#n, (nle"" &.e 4)#&e"&eeG%24#)&e) ".all
.ave 6%led a $a". b#nd n#& le"" &.an &.e 4)#v%"%#nall e"&%2a&ed d(24%n0 d(& 4l(" &.e a44l%$able
)e0(la) d(& ba"ed #n &.e d#$(2en&a) ev%den$e "(b2%&&ed -%&. &.e d(24%n0 4)#&e"&, &# an"-e) 6#)
&.e 4a2en& #6 "($. d(&%e", 6ee" and $.a)0e" %6 a d(24%n0 $a"e %" e"&abl%".ed. I6 &.e 4)#&e"& %"
d%"2%""ed, &.e $a". de4#"%& ".all be )e&()ned &# &.e %24#)&e) -%&.%n &en >10A da" 6)#2 &.e 6%nal%& #6
&.e #)de).H
8.e la- .a" been a2ended b +e4(bl%$ !$& N#. 8752, #&.e)-%"e 9n#-n a" &.e !n&%5D(24%n0
!$& #6 1999.
[3]
Rollo, 4. 113.
[4]
Rollo, 44. 45546.
[5]
Id. a& 80.
[6]
Id. a& 78579.
[7]
Id. a& 47548.
[8]
Id. a& 64.
[9]
Rollo, 4. 49.
[10]
Rollo, 44. 55556.
[11]
Id. a& 66567.
[12]
Rollo, 4. 67.
[13]
Id. a& 71577.
[14]
Rollo, 44. 87588.
[15]
Rollo, 4. 116.
[16]
Ibid.
[17]
Id. a& 1235136.
[18]
Id. a& 1375146.
[19]
Id. a& 28544.
[20]
Rollo, 44. 42543.
[21]
Ibid.
[11]
(1) M the conclusion is a fin%in' 'roun%e% entirel( on speculation2 sur&ise an% con/ectureK (1) the
inference &a%e is &anifestl( &ista8enK (<) there is 'rave a*use of %iscretionK (;) the /u%'&ent is *ase%
on a &isapprehension of factsK (6) the fin%in's of fact are conflictin'K (#) the Court of Appeals went
*e(on% the issues of the case an% its fin%in's are contrar( to the a%&issions of *oth appellant an%
appelleesK (") the fin%in's of fact of the Court of Appeals are contrar( to those of the trial courtK (:) sai%
fin%in's of fact are conclusions without citation of specific evi%ence on which the( are *ase%K ($) the facts
set forth in the petition as well as in the petitionerAs &ain an% repl( *riefs are not %ispute% *( the
respon%entsK an% (17) the fin%in's of fact of the Court of Appeals are pre&ise% on the suppose% a*sence
of evi%ence an% contra%icte% *( the evi%ence on recor%. (Sarmiento v. Court of Appeals, G.R. !o.
117:"12 1 )ul( 1$$:2 1$1 SCRA #6#)
[23]
Baytan v. COMELEC, /.+. N#. 153945, 4 =eb)(a) 2003, 396 SC+! 703, $%&%n0 Allado v. Diono, 232
SC+! 192 >1994A.
[24]
Advincula v. Court of Appeal!, /.+. N#. 131144, 18 O$&#be) 2000, 343 SC+! 583.
[25]
"anto! v. Orda, #r., /.+. N#. 158236, 1 Se4&e2be) 2004, 437 SC+! 5043 Lui v. Matillano, /.+. N#.
141176, 27 1a 2004, 429 SC+! 449.
[26]
$.". v. %orri!, 300 I.S. 564 >1937A.
[27]
Bron!ton v. $."., 409 I.S. 352 >1973A $%&%n0 S&(d #6 Pe)C(), )e4)%n&ed %n +e4#)& #6 Ne- J#)9 +ev%"%#n
C#22%""%#n, Ke0%", D#$. N#. 60, 4. 249 >1935A.
[28]
Bron!ton v. $."., !upra.
[29]
$.". v. E!tra&a, 16 P.%l. 520 >1910A.
[30]
Dia' v. (eople of t)e ()ilippine!, /.+. N#. 65006, 31 O$&#be) 1990, 191 SC+! 86.
[31]
(adua v. (a', !.1. N#. P50051445, 30 !4)%l 2003, 402 SC+! 21.
[32]
(eople v. Abaya, 74 P.%l. 59 >1942A.
[33]
*elc) v. "tate, 157 S.<. 9463 +ergu!on v. "tate, 35 S.<. 369, $%&ed %n 70 C.'.S. Pe)C() L30, 4. 473.
[34]
Butler v. Mc,ey, 138 =.2d 373 >1943A.
[35]
"aavedra, #r. v. Department of #u!tice, /.+. N#. 93173, 15 Se4&e2be) 1993, 226 SC+! 438.
[36]
"tate v. Bar-ell, 600 S.<.2d 497 >1979A.
[37]
$.". v. "-eig, 441 =.2d 114 >1971A3 $.". v. #one!, 374 =.2d 414 >1967A3 $.". v. Bergman, 354 =.2d
931 >1966A3 $.". v. ,elly, 540 =.2d 990 >1976A.
[38]
$.". v. Capi!trano, 40 P.%l. 902 >1920A.
[39]
(eople v. McClintic, 160 N.<. 461 >1916A.
[40]
$.". v. Berardi, 629 =.2d 723 >1980A.
[41]
$.". v. Lococo, 450 =.2d 1196 >1971A.
[42]
Rollo, 4. 87.
[43]
Rollo, 4. 76.
[44]
Rollo, 4. 64.
[45]
Id. a& 45.
[46]
Se$&%#n 301 #6 &.e 8a)%66 and C("&#2" C#de a" a2ended b +e4(bl%$ !$& N#. 7843.
[47]
Rollo, 44. 98599.
[48]
Id. a& 81.
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