Frustrated Murder People vs. Merin CHARACTERS Ayn Sarsaba - Prosecution Counsel ‘Anthony Prestoza - Prosecution Counsel Katherine jane Manarang - Complainant Richard Alvin Nalupta - Boyfriend of the Complainant (Prosecution witness) Br. Juan Paolo Gascon - Expert Witness Analita Ocampo - Datense Counsel Helen Paulette Tapire - Defense Counsel lis Victoria Merin - Accused Leira Taruc - Expert Witness Catherine Bool Nunez - Officemate of Complainant (Defense Witness} Joel Macalino PROSECUTION Direct Examination of Catherine jane Manarang by Prosecutor Anthony Prestoza COURT: Call the case. INTERPRETER: For hearing. Criminal Case No. 12345, People of the Philippines vs. Iris Victoria Merin. COURT: Appearances. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: For the government. ATTY, TAPIRE: For the defense. COURT: Ready? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Ready Your Honor. COURT: Call your witness to the witness stand. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: May | call an Catherine Jane Manarang. COURT: Swear in the witness. INTERPRETER: Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth in this tase? COURT: Please state your name and other personal circumstances. WITNESS: Catherine jane Manarang, 28 years of age. single, a Certified Public Accountant of the Accounting Division of Nestle Philippines and a resident of Unit 143 Astral ‘Apartment Padre Faura St. Ermita, Manila. COURT: Your witness. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: The witness is being presented to testify on the fact that the sccused bought the rat killer and that the substance that poisoned her was from the grapefruit juice which the accused prepared. May we proceed Your Honor? COURT: Proceed. Q: Catherine Jane Manarang, will you please tell this Honorable Court where you were on October 17, 2007 at around 8 o'clock in the ‘morning? ‘A: Lowas in our apartment at Unit 143 Astral Apartment Padre Faura St. Ermita, Manila. Q: Who lives in that apartment? A: | and my best friend, Iris Victoria Merin. Q: Who was with you at that particuiar time of the day? AL was alone because | did not report for work to prepare for my engagement party.A: I decided to clean the house. Q: And what particular areas af the house did you clean? ‘A | cleaned the living roam and the CR first. Then | cleaned the dirty kitchen. Because | remembered Ins said something like “Dumadami na yung mga rodents sa diy kitchen.” Q: The last place you cleaned was the dirty kitchen? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: What did you do in order ta solve the problem on the rats? Ac tused a rat killer, Your Honor. Q: Who bought the ret killer? : Ins bought it because she told me that she noticed that there were rats in the place. Have you actually seen any rats in your place? A: No. Actually, it made me wander... | just relied on the word of iris. Besides. in our lease agreement, there was a stipulation that it shall be the owner's responsibility to ‘conduct quarterly pest contral measures. @ | am showing to you this document Previously marked as Exhibit A. Please go ‘over this document and tell this Honorable ‘Court if this is the lease agreement you are ‘referring to. A: Yes, this document is the lease agreement. Q: Whose signature is this above the printed mame Catherine Jane Manarang which is appearing on page 2 of this contract of lease? A: My signature, sir, Q: And this signature belongs to whom? (Prosecutor Prestoza pointing at the right portion of the document) ‘A: Our lessor, Mr. Rhandell Matuloy. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Which for purposes ‘of identification, Your Honor, | would ike to Catherine Jane Manarang as Exhibit A-1 COURT: Maric it. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: And the’ signature appearing above the printed name of Rhandell Matuloy as the lessor be marked as Exhibit 4-2 (COURT: Maric it. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: We would also like to request for the marking of stipulation na.8 in this lease agreement as Exhibit A-3. COURT: Marte it. Q: Was there consistent compliance by the owner? AL Yes. ©: What happened next? A: After cleaning, | rested because | got tired. | remembered that before irs left that morning for work, she told me not to forget to drink the grapefruit juice she prepared for me. Q: Where did you find the grapefruit juice? A: Inside the ref. Q: If that pitcher containing the grapefruit juice will be shown to you, mill you be able to recognize it? (lamyer takes the pitcher showing it to the victim) ALYes, that’s the one. PROSECUTOR. PRESTOZA: For the record, the pitcher, previously marked as Exhibit B was Fecognized by the victim as the pitcher containing the grapefruit juice prepared by the accused for the complainant. Q: When did you drink the said beverage? A: Before I went to Starbucks. Q: How many glasses were you able to drink? A:T drank about 2 glasses, Q: Can you estimate the amount of juice you rank?ff fiquld. So, that would make about 600" mL. Q: What else did you da on that day? ‘A: | want out to mest itis for our usual coffee break in Starbucks at 3 o'clock in the aftemoon. We spent the whole afternoon together until we decided to ga home for the party. Q: Did you fee! anything at that time? ATTY. OCAMPO: Gbjection, Your Henort (Question is leading COURT: Sustained. Q: What happened at Starbucks? ‘A: While we're eating, | complained to iris that my head was aching : Did your friend say anything? A: She told me that | was just tired. O: What time did you leave Starbucks? A: S pielock. Q: What time did you arrive in your apartment? A: We arrived at about §:30 o'clock in the late afternoon. The dinner party was set at 6 o'clock that evening. Q: What happened later? A The quests arrived. We entertained them. ©: was your flancée with them? A Yes. Q: What happened next? A; approached Ins and chatted with her. Q: What dict you feet at that time? &: My headache worsened. | began to feel nauseous and | vomited. | falt so weak that I lost my balance. Q: Did anyone come to help? A: Yes. Iris caught me before | hit the floor ©; Did younotice anything else? A: Before | totally last consciousness, | saw that iris was smiling while she held on to me, would you be able ta identify and paint to her? ‘A: Yes, Sir. {Victim painted to the accused.) There. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: That is all, Your Honor, COURT: Cross? ATTY. OCAMPO: Yes, Your Honor. Cross Examination of Catherine Jane Manarang by Atty. Analits Ocampo ©: Miss Witness, you testified that in the fease contract, the lessor had the responsibility to conduct pest control measures. How often Is this pest control conducted? ‘A: Quarterly, Your Honor. ©: And during what months did the lessor Conduct these pest control measures? a: February, May, August, and November of every year, Your Honar, O; Miss Witness, you testified that in cleaning the dirty kitchen, you used a rat poison ta kill, the rats there. is that right? A Yes, ©: How did you use the rat poison? A: | took the pack out of the box. Then | put some into my hand. I put the rat poison in some rice and then | put the rice on the floor 50 that the rats could eat them. O: You did not use any gloves te protect your hands or your skin? ‘ae No, Your Honor. O: Miss Witness. did you know that a rat poison could iso poison humans if accidentally swallowed? a: Yes, Your Honor. (0 So, even if you knew that. you still did not use any protection for your hands? A; Yes, because | planned to wash my hands after I cleaned the sirty kitchen. : After cleaning the dirty kitchen? Vee Vase HanneQ: Not right after you put the paisen into the rice, as you have said earlier? As Yes, Your Honor. Q: You testified that you drank the grapefruit juice. What was the color of the juice? A: Yellow. @: When you drank the juice, what was. its taste? ‘Ac It was sour, a bit bitter. Your Honor. Q: Bitter? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Hindi ka ba nagtaka at mapait yung juice na ininom mo? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Objection: ‘Your Honor! My witness cannot understand Filipina, COURT: Let the question be transiated for ‘the witness, INTERPRETER: Did you not wonder why the juice was bitter? ‘A: No, Your Honor. The grapefruit juice really hhas a slight bitter taste, perhaps because it ‘was 50 Sour. Q: You testified that betore the accused feft the house, she told you nat to forget to drinic ‘the juice. Has she done this even before the incident happened? Ac Yes, Your Honor. Both of us used to do that. We often leave food and drinks for act other. Q: So, when she told you nat te forget ta rink the juice, it was nothing new to you. berause bath of you had that habit. A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: You testified that at 3 pm on October 17. 2007 you met with the accused at a coffee shop. When you were with the accused, did ‘you notice anything different about her? ‘A: Yes, Your Honor, Q: what was that? Je When I compiained about my headache, sshe just told me that | was just tired. Were you not really tired after cleaning pe teat ae yume Mee fame ran: @: You also said that at the party you felt nauseous, and then you vomited and fell to the floor. is that right? A: Yes, Your Honar. Q: When you were already at the floor, were you still conscious? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Was your sight stil clear? ‘A: A bit blurry, Your Honor. Q: So you cannot see clearly at the time you fell to the ground? A: Yes, because | was so dizzy. Q: So you cannot possibly say that tris was really smiling when she held you? A: Fm nat sure Your Hanor. Q: Miss Witness, have you ever visited a psychiatrist? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: When was this? ‘A: Around August 2006, Your Honor. Q: Why did you go to such psychiatrist? @: | needed treatment for my depression, ‘Your Honor. Q: What was the cause of your depression? A: My parents died of a ternble accident, and I blamed myself for their death, Q: Who was the dactor who treated you? A: Dr. Leira Taruc. (Q: Where is her clinic located? A: Ak the Medical Center Manila, Q: What did this Dr. Taruc do te treat you? A: | went through psychological counseling sessions, Your Honor. Q: Were this counseling sessions reduced into writing? A: Yes, Your Honar, Q: is this document the record of the Weatment you went through under Or.discharge réport to the complainant) A: Yes. Your Honor ATTY. OCAMPO: For the record, the complainant has identified Exhibit 1 which was previously marked as Summary Discharge Report at the Medical Center Manila. Q: Who prepared this medical report? Je It was Dr. Taruc who prepared the repart, ‘Your Honor. Q: Miss Witness, did anything happen before you visited your psychiatrist? ‘As | committed suicide. Q: Did your psychiatrist prescribe any medication? ‘A: Yes. she gave me anti-depressant pis Q) Are you still taking these medications? A: Not anymore, Your Honor. ATTY. OCAMPO: No further questions. COURT: Re-direct? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: No, Your Honor. ‘We will call on our next witness. COURT: Miss Witness, You may step down Call your next witness. Direct Examination of Richard Malupta by Prosecutor Prestoza PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: I'm calling on Mr. Richard Alvin Nalupta_ INTERPRETER: Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth in this case? WITNESS: Yes Sir. ‘COURT: Please state your name and other personal circumstances. WITNESS: Ritchie Nalupta, 30 years of age, single, head security officer af the Security Services Division of Nestle Philippines and a resident af 299 Aguado St. San Miguel COURT: Your witness. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: This witness. Your Honor, Richard Malupta is presented to testify on the fact that the accused secretly fell in love and could possibly be otisessed with him and may likewise began to hate the complainant secretly. May we proceed, Your Honor? COURT: Proceed. Q: De you know the complainant? A Yes. Q: How are you related to her? ‘A: She ig my fiancée. Q: Do you know the accused? A Yes. Q: How is she related to the complainant? A: She is the childhood friend of the complainant; aficemate: and they live in the ‘same apartment. Were you aware that the accused likes you? ATTY. OCAMPO: ‘Objection, Your Honor. ‘Counsel is speculating. O: Do you visit the complainant in their apartment? ‘AL Yes, Your Honor. Q: How often da you visit the complainant? A: During weekdays, whenever | drop her after work, and during weekends. Q Whenever you visit the complainant in their apartment, are there any persons around? A: Yes, sometimes, Iris was there. : When you visit the complainant during weekend, was the complainant always there? ‘A: Not always, Your Honor. ; What do you mesn when you said that the ‘complainant was not always there? Ae She's not there because she went out. Q: And whenever that happens. who do youpo tra, Tour NOHO Q: Mr. Witness, what de you do whenever you visit the complainant at their apartment and she is nat around? ‘A: [wait for her te come back. Your Honor. Q: Where or in what particular part of the apartment da you wait? : At the living room, Your Honor. Gand while waiting, what normally transpires? Ac Lwateh the tw or listen to music. Q: You said earlier that whenever the complainant is not around during your visit. Iris was at the apartment, is that right? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: So there were times that only you and the accused were in the apartment, while you were waiting for the complainant? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: What transpires whenever you and the accused are alone in the apartment? A: The accused flirts with me, Your Honor. Q: What do you mean when you sald she was flirting with you? A: She wears revealing clothes. she says “I lowe you" jokingly, mga ganun. Q: Do you recall haw many times these have happened? ‘A; Many times, Your Honor. Q What do you tell the accused every time she flires with you? A: don’t mind her jokes. Q: Does your fiancée know of these instances? ‘A: Yes, Your Honor. O: Why? A; Because | told her a few times about it, O: What did your fiancée say? ‘A; She sald: “Don't mind her. She's crazy." Wome witrmees, preeme: exetimme wim wet message, and tell the Court if you recognize itt A Yes, Your Honor. Q: Why do you recognize it? A: Because | received that text message from the accused on August 15, 2007. : This text message purports to hawe been sent by the awning this mobite number, 09173237899. Do you recognize the person who owned this number? A: Yes, that is the mobile number of the accused, Your Honor. Q: How do you know? A: Because the mobile number of the accused Is stored in my mabile phone, Your Honor. ©; Will you please read aloud the contents of this text message? ‘A: “Richie, kung hindi ka magiging akin, walang makikinabang sa'yo!" ("Richie if i won't have you, na one else will!) Q: Mr. Witness, kindly read the next text message. A: “akin ka fang, Richie. Mamamatay ang kahit sinong aagaw sa’yo." (You're mine, Richie. Whoever tries to steal you from me will dle") PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Your Honor. for the record, these text messages appearing on the screen of the mobile phone of Mr. Nalupta, previously marked as Exhibit C has heen identified by the witness. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: This document is the printed copy of the text messages contained in the mobile phone of Mr. Nalupta. We would bike to request that it be marked as Exhibit C-1. COURT: Mark it, Q: Haw atten does she send you this kind of text messages? A: Almost everyday, Your Honor, : What were you doing during the engagement party? ‘A: Twas entertaining our friends.Who was with the victim when the incident happened? ‘A: She was with the accused. Q: What did you do when you learned of the incident? A | rushed to her. She was already lying on the ground. : What did you do afterwards? A: | called for an ambulance. We rushed her to the hospital. Q: How tong did you stay with her at the hospital? ‘A: About four hours. | waited for the doctorto come out. Q: When the doctor came out, what did he tell you? A: The doctor said my flancée was poisoned. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: No ‘questions, Your Honor. further COURT: Cross? ATTY. OCAMPO: Yes, Your Honor Cross. Examination of Richard Nalupta by Atty. Anatita Ocampo 0: Mr, Witness, you have testified that whenever you and Ms. Merin are alone in the apartment, she tried te fliet with you. is that right? A: Yes. Your Honor. Q: What made you say that? a: Well, | feel she made some advances. (extra sweetness | : How long have you known Ms. Merin? A: | have known her ever since | began courting my fiancée since both of them live in the Same apartment. That's about four years ago. : Would you consider Ms. Merin as your friend? Q: Mr. Witness, is it possible that the reason why Ms. Merin treats you well and with extra sweetness is because she considers you as a close friend since you are the fiancée of her best friend? As Yes... Q: You alse testified that Ms. Merin sent you Threatening text messages. What is you proof that it was indeed my client who sent familiar with the way she constructs her messages. Q: Mr. Witness. does the complainant use ‘your mobile phone in sending text messages to her friends? As Yes, sometimes... Q: How about you? Are there times when you barrew the complainant's cellular phane? ‘A: Yes, there are times | use her phone. Q: So, is it possible that Ms. Merin’s phone has also been borrowed by someone else and it was not her who sent you thase text messages? A: Yes... it's possible. But Your Honor i'm ‘really sure she was the one who sent me these messages. ATTY. OCAMPO: No further questions, Your Honor. COURT: Redirect? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: No, Your Honor. ‘We will call on our last witness. ‘COURT: Call your witness. (Direct Examination of Dr. juan Paolo Gascon bby Prosecutor Ayn Sarsaba PROSECUTOR SARSABA: I'm calling on Br. Juan Paolo Gascon. INTERPRETER: Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nathing but the truth in this case? WITNESS: ves.SWuune: ries stave your mares ane eure personal circumstances. WITNESS: Or. Juan Paola Gascon, 26 years of age, single, emergency physician and a resident of Robinsons Tower, Padre Faura St.. Emmita, Manila. ‘COURT: Your witness. PROSECUTOR SARSABA: This witness, Your Honor, Dr. juan Paolo Gascon, will testify on the findings in the medico-iegal prepared by him to prove the following: |) ‘that the effective cause of the complainant's condition is chemical paisoning; (i) that the dase taken by the complainant is necessarily fatal; and (ii) that the possible source of the cyanide poison is the grape fruit juice prepared by the accused. May we proceed, Your Honor? ‘COURT: Proceed, Q: You declared that you are a doctor of medicine, Or. Gascon, where did you finish your medical degree? 4: Emilia Aguinaldo College, United Nations Awenue, Manila. Q: When did you graduate? A: 19947 Q: Are you a licensed physician? A: Yes. Q: When did you pass the doctor's board ‘examination? A: in 1995. Q: Where are you presently connected? A: I'm presently connected with the Philippine General Hospital iocated in Taft, Manila. Q: Since when have you tien employed in that hospital? ‘A: | have been employed there since 1998. ‘Q: What is your present designation? A: I'm presently an emergency physician in said institution. @: Since you became’ a licensed physician, have you attended seminars and undertaken ng sth GUneREROY mT Ane pL ot ine? When and where? @ Yes. | have attended several training seminars on emergency medicine held here and abroad. in fact, { have also been invited a5 a quest speaker to give special lectures on modem medical toxicology and the medico-legal aspect of polsoning. Ta name a few: One of the international medical conferences I've attended was in Switzerland last October 2007 called Poisoning and Drug Overdase by Dr. Barry Rumack and Dr. Allan Hall who were internationally recognized experts in intemal medicine. Another would be the one held just last January in Florida, USA entitled Ememency Medicine: Practicing According to the Evidence. Q: Have you testified as a Medical expert in cases before courts of justice? A: Yes, mosily on medico legal cases. 0: How many medico legal cases so far hawe you testified? What kind of medica legal hawe you testified? ‘A: For the past 5 years, around two hundred (200) cases. Mostly homicide and murder cases involving food and chemical poisoning, medical malpractice cases and industrial and wehicular accidents. Q: Do you recall having attended on one Catherine jane Manarang at the Philippine General Hospital? Ayes. Q: Do yeu recall when was that doctor? About what time? A: About 6:30 in the evening of October 17, 2007. @: Do you recall how many days was she Confined to the haspital? A: She was confined for ane week Q: Why was she confined that long? A. We made sure that the neuroiogic and cardiovascular status has normalized and acidosis and other metabolic abnormatities have resolved before we discharged her Q: While in the hospital. did you continue attending an hiQ: After her discharge. did you require her to still see you for further medications? A: Yes, ‘Your Honor. Why? A: | advised the patient to have 2 follow-up within 7 to 10 days after discharge to reevaluate and monitor for onset of delayed neurologic manifestations. Q: Did the patient see you for 2 follow-up Doctor? AL Yes. Q: Did you find any neurologic complications sald follow-up? A: None. Q: So Doctor, we are assured that the patient, complainant herein, is in a healthy state of mind? A Yes. Q: Attached to the record of the case is'a Medico Legal Report issued by one Br. Juan Paolo Gascon, is this the one you are referring to? (Exhibit D) A Tes, PROSECUTOR SARSABA: For the record, the witness has identified the document previously marked as Exhibit as the Medico Legal Report issued by Or Juan Paola Gascon. Q: There'is a signature abave the typewritten name Dr. Juan Paolo Gascon. do you know whose signature is this doctor? 4c tt is my signature. PROSECUTOR SARSABA: | respectfully request Your Honor, that the signature ‘sppearing in Exhibit D be marked as Exhibit DL COURT: Mark it. Q: Doctor, please read this particular entry {Witness reading 2 portion of the medico legal report) ‘A, The patient came in the emergency room stretcher-bome, unconscious and in respiratory distress. Her ital signs then 37.8 degree’ Celsius. Patient's” skin was flushed. Q: Could you please exptain this finding in ‘more simple terms for an ordinary person ta understand? ‘a The patient clearly was in an unstable condition, or in a very critical condition, warranting an immediate — medical intervention, constant monitoring for any sign of deterioration and further evaluation. 0: Do you know whit could have caused this kind of condition? ‘A: My diagnosis at that time was there was chemical poisoning. ©: Why is the condition of Catherine jane Manarang attributable to poisoning rather than to disease or some natural cause? Were tests conducted confirming the existence of poisoning? A: We did Toxin Screening with the patient's blood. it revealed the presence of trace amounts of cyanide in the blood, and since cyanide is not normally found in our blood and considering its chemical nature, it Is poisonous. @ So you are saying that the actual or effective cause of the condition of the patient is._? ‘: Chemical poison, which is harmful to the body or deadly to humans. Q: Did the symptoms which appear resemble the typical symptams of poisoning by the alleged poison? A Yes. The symptoms of cyanide poisoning are headache, nausea, vamiting, generalized body weakness, loss of consciousness. flushed skin, and unstable vital signs - all of which are present in this case. ©: Doctor. what could be a passible source of cyanide in this case? ‘A Based on the history given to me by the informant when the patient was brought to the ER, passible sources of cyanide could be any of the food or beverage the patient had ingested on the day of the incident. Q: History? What de you mean by that Doctor?fo one WW But @ wu Laney niwry ane Physical Examination. Contained here are the General Data. Reason fer the Consult or Chief Complaint, the History of Present Illness and the Past Medical History. Relevant here is the History ef Present iliness. This refers to the events and activities of the patient which transpired prior to the consultation, from the onset of symptoms to the time of consultation. Q: Now, you mentioned about an infarmant. Who was the informant of the patient in this case, Doctor? Was it Miss Merin? ATTY. TAPIRE: Objection, Your Honor, the question is leading! 9: Who was the informant of the patient in this case? A: IE was Miss ris Merin. Q: Wailld you please tell the Court what it was exactly that Miss Merin told you? A: The informant told me that during their coffee break on the day of the incident. the food intake of the patient consisted of tuna sandwich, fresh green salad. green tea frappuccino, and during the party. she drank coke zero. Q: Now, my question to you is: Is it possible Doctor ‘that a grape fruit juice can be a source of the cyanide poison? ATTY. TAPIRE: Objection, the question is leading, Court: Sustained. Ae Actually, during the confinement of the patient in the haspital for one week, said patient mentioned to me that she also drank grape fruit juice. It is possible that the grape fruit juice could be the source of cyanide considering that she ingested the same 3 hours before the onset of symptoms. Q: What is the minimum lethal dose of cyanide? ‘A: Fatal dose is the smallest dose known to cause death: not the smallest amount which will certainly cause death. Several scientific studies have shown that the toxic threshold dose is 50 to 100mg of cyanide in the human Wei YUE OpiMUR, mes URE BOSE LAREN UF UE victim necessarily fatal? ‘Ay An analysis: of the patient's blood would tell us the amount or level of cyanide in the bload. The patient’s blood was found to have 1.5 mg/dl cyanide content. Based from this definitive finding, | can extrapolate that the amount ingested by the patient is lethal or fatal Q: Is that all, Dector? Ay As previausly stated, the symptoms of the patient would eventually lead to cardio- pulmonary arrest. (death). If mo prompt intervention was done, the patient would have died. Q: What are you trying to tell us Bactor? A: The severity af the symptoms. may serve as an indication of how lethal the dose af cyanide is. Or that the effect of paisons in the body is usually proportional to the dose taken. The bigger the dose, the mare severe the symptoms will be_ Q: Doctor, do you have any other field of expertise? A Yes. | am alsa an expert chemist and toxicolagist. | specialize in Forensic Medicine and Toxicology specifically Poisoning and Drug Overdose. PROSECUTOR SARSABA: | will show you 3 document. previously marked as Exhibit E. This is the Toxicology Report from the MBI on the results of their chemical analyses of the sample taken from the grape fruit juice in the pitcher and of the sample taken from the rodenticide or rat killer, Rat-A-Rest, found in the apartment of the complainant and accused. Q: As an expert, can you please interpret to us the findings in this report? A: This report reveals that the sample taken from the grape fruit juice has been contaminated with redenticide. It also shores that rodenticide has 50% cyanide concentration. it siso illustrates that the grape fruit juice is hence contaminates with cyanide, Q: Doctor, have you formed an opinion? A: he seems that the rodenticide has beenPROSECUTOR SARSAA: No more questions, ‘Your Honor. ‘COURT: Cross? ATTY. TAPIRE: Yes, Your Honor. ‘Cross Examination of Or. juan Polo Gascon iby Atty. Paulette Tapire Q: Doctor, you have testified that you also Specialize in Toxicology specifically Poisoning and Drug Overdose, hence, you are an ‘expert in that field, am I night? Be Yes. Q: Doctor, when does ingestion of the ‘cyanide poison cause the enset of symptams ‘of cyanide poisoning? Ac Patients who ingest potentially fatal amounts may not develop life-threatening symptomatology for up to 1 to 2 hours following exposure. Q: Symptoms such as? A: in patients who do not experience sudden collapse, the initial signs and symptoms can resemble those oof =anxiety or hyperventilation syndrome. Early _ signs include headache. Late signs of poisoning ‘are nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, ‘and a variety of cardiac effects. Q: The patient-complainant also testified that she drank two glasses of the alleged source ‘of the poison - the grape fruit juice - at around 2:45 pm and the onset of the symptoms of cyanide poisoning was about 6:00 pm. Thus, 3-hours had lapsed from the ingestion of the alleged source (grape fruit juice) before the symptoms develaped, am I ‘right? AL Yes. Q: But you also said that symptoms of cyanide poisoning are expected to develop 1 te 2 hours following ingestion? fe Yes. Q: if that's the case, don’t you think there is an inconsistency of the duration of ingestion and onset of symptoms between the patient's actual case and the established ‘scientific findings of cyanide poisoning? With phic dnac it mnt maan that the canditinn af ‘me patient can not be attnbuted to cyanide peisening but to some other cause? A: Yes. That is passibie. Q: Are you sure? Ac | can say that it is possible that the patient's condition was not due to cyanide Poisoning. Q: Doctor, about the source of the poison, ‘you only Said possible sources, right? ae Yes. Q: By possible, you mean_? ‘A: Probable or potential source of the poison, Ma'am, Q: That the grape fruit juice is just one possible source of the cyanide poison? A Yes. Q: And that there are other pessible sources of the cyanide as well? Ae Yes. Q: So, is it safe to canclude, Doctor, that the cyanide poison may have come from another Source considering that for that day, the patient's food intake comprised of different food and beverages? Ae Yes, that is possible. Q: Are you aware of the history of said patient, that she had at one time in the past, attempted to end her tife due to depression? fe Yes. Q: That she has a history of one previous Suicidal attempt ene year from the date of the incident? As Yes. Q: In your opinion, is said fact retevant ta the determination of the cause of the symptoms? A: Yes. History af any previous. suicidal attempts, history of the patient's mental condition and history of business, marital and social failures are taken into ‘consideration in cases of poisoning. Q: Is it safe to conclude then that it is possible that the poisoning is attributable to suicide?ATTY. TAPIRE: No further questions, Your Honor. COURT: Re-direct? PROSECUTOR SARSABA: Yes, Your Honor Re-Direct Examination of Dr. juan Paolo Gascon by Prosecutor Sarsaha Q: Doctor, is it possible that the anset of symptoms for cyanide poisoning varies for each person? is it possible that said symptoms may appear beyond the normal 1- hour duration? A That is possible. Q: Will you explain to us how that is possible? A: Some persons passess different levels of sensitivity to certain substances. The body may acquire tolerance to some substances. Another would be: The body has a natural defense against cyanide exposure in the form of an endogenous enzyme, namely. rhodanese. This enzyme catalyzes cyanide complexing with sulfur, farming the much less toxic ion thiocyanate. The availability of sulfur constitutes the rate limiting factor in natural cyanide detoxification. in the absence of exogenous source of sulfur, thodanese activity is too slow ta prevent serious toxicity or death. Q: Could you explain to the Court what you mean by that Dector? ‘A: Even though the normal duration is 1 to 2 hours, there are some cases in which the signs and symptoms of cyanide poisoning in @ patient may be delayed and appear beyond the normal duration. in the case of the patient Miss Manarang, there was a one- hour delay of appearance of symptoms because as confirmed in her lab tests. her body produces abnormal amounts of sulfur and a& I've mentioned earlier, when there is mere sulfur in the bedy. the cyanide detoxification in the body is hastened, thus, the serious toxic effects of cyanide will be Giminished. Lastly, the food intake of the patient may possibly contribute to such effect. ‘questions, Your Honor. (COURT: Re-cross? ATTY. TAPIRE: No re-cross, Your Honor. ‘COURT: Mr. Witness. you may step down. Formal Offer of Evidence by the Prosecution PROSECUTOR SARSABA: Your Honor, we are ‘now resting the case for the prosecution. COURT: How do you intend to submit your format offer? PROSECUTOR SARSABA: We can now offer ‘our evidence, Your Honor. ‘COURT: Proceed PROSECUTOR SARSABA: ‘Exhibit A is the Contract of Lease being offered to prove that there is a stipulation on the quarterly conduct of pest ‘control measures by the lessor. Exhibit AL and A-2 are the signatures of Catherine Jane Manarang as lessee and Rhandell Matuloy as lessor to prove that these two persons were the ‘contracting parties to the lease agreement. Exhibit A-3 is the stipulation regarding the pest control measures to prove that the lessor undertakes to conduct the quarterly pest control measures. Exhibit B is the pitcher from which @ sample was taken and subjected to chemical analysis for the purpase of proving the fact that the source of poison was the grapefruit juice prepared by the accused contained in the pitcher. Exhibit C consists of text messages to prove that the accused nurtured feelings for the complainant's boyfriend. Exhibit C-1 consists of printed copies ‘of the text messages to corroborate to the fact that the accused had been sending several text messages to the compiainant’sExhibit D is the Medico Legal Repart issued by Dr. Juan Paolo Gascon to prave the following: (i) that the effective cause of the complainant's condition is chemical poisoning: (ti) that the dose taken by the complainant is necessarily fatal: and (ii) that the possible source of cyanide poison is the (Grapefruit juice prepared by the accused. Exhibit D-1 ls the signature of Br. Juan Paolo Gascon to be a part of his testimony that he was the attending physician of the complainant Exhibit £ is the Toxicology Report of the National Bureau of Investigation to prove the chemical analysis of the sample taken from the pitcher for qualitative and quantitative determination of the potson. Exhibit F is the Box of Rat Killer to prove the source of the poisan which was bought by the accused. COURT: Any comment? ATTY. OCAMPO: As to Exhibits A, A-L, A-2 and A-3 we admit the existence and authenticity, Your Honor. As to Exhibit B, we admit its existence but not its purpose. ‘As to Exhibits C and C-1, we can only admit 35 to the existence of the text messages but not its authenticity. As to Exhibit 0 and 0-1, we admit the existence and authenticity, Your Honor. As to Exhibit £, we admit its authenticity and genuineness. As to Exhibit F, we admit its existence but ‘not its purpose. COURT: Acting on the formal offer of exhibits of the prosecutor and comments thereon by the defense counsel, the Court resolves to admit all the exhibits offered by the defense counsel specified in the offer. Direct Examination of Or_leira Taruc by Atty. Helen Paulette Tapire [ATTY. TAPIRE: For the defense, we are ready to present our first witness, Your Honor COURT: Proceed. INTERPRETER: Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth in this case? WITNESS: Yes Ma’am. COURT: Please state your name and other personal circumstances. WITNESS: | am Dr. Leira Leonor Taruc, 35 years old, single, a licensed psychiatrist at the Psychiatry Department, Medical Center Manila, and 3 resident of 123 Krusada St. Quaipo, Manila. ATTY. TAPIRE: Your Honor, the witness is Presented to testify on the medical records ‘of the complainant who underwent several counseling sessions under her supervision and to prove the mental and emotional instability of the complainant. May we proceed, Your Honor? (COURT: Proceed. Q: When were you admitted to the practice of medicine? As in 1985, Your Honor. Q: From what university or college did you graduate and when? ‘A: | graduated from the University of Santo ‘Tomas in the year 1984, ©: Did you graduate with honors? ‘A: Yes, Latin Honors Your toner. Q: Do you have any past-graduate degree? ‘A: Yes, Your Honor. | finished my Master of Psychiatry degree at the University af Melbourne in 1998. 0: Since when have you been practicing as a psychiatrist? A: For almost 10 years, Your Honor. Q: What is the nature of your work as atreatment and prevention of mental and emotional iliness and behavioral disorders of patients. : How do you treat your patients? A: | listen and talk’ to patients about their mental, emotional or behavioral problems and assess the status of these disorders. | aiso. prescribe medications, cognitive therany, behavioral therapy or psychological counseling depending on the patient's needs. Q: Da you knew the complainant in this case? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Why do you know her? A&A: She was my patient at the Psychiatry Department of Medical Center Manila. Q: When was this? A: August 16, 2006. Q: For what reason did she come to your clinic? A She consulted me about her condition. Q: Was the consultation out of her own volition? AL No. She was advised by her friend. Q: Doctor, what procedures:or tests did you conduct on the complainant during the consultation? A | conducted physical examinations. | asked her to tell something about her, her work, her family, and other personal ‘relationships. | just listened to whatever she said. While she was talking, | observed her demeanor, the way she spoke, and her gestures. Q: What did you notice about the complainant while she was talking to you? A: At first, the patient was apparently normal. But when she began talking about her family, particulary her parents, she began te sob, and then she cried. Her hands were trembling. She blamed herself for the death of her parents. Q: What matters were revealed to you by the complainant in the course of the raneitesbinn? sleeping apnéa, insomnia, hypertension, and migraines. Q: As to her emotional condition? A: The patient Is suffering from major ‘Gepression, without psychotic features. Q: Did you talk to anyone else regarding the patient's emotional condition? A: Yes, Your Hanar. @: who else did you talk to about her ‘emational condition? A: I spoke to her friend, the one who advised the patient ta seek help. This was part of the analysis of the patient's condition. Q: Any other tests that you conducted on the patient? ‘A: No more, Your Honor. @: Doctor, from the examinations and ‘observations, what did you conclude about the complainant's condition? A: The patient from suffered from single episode depression. Q: Will you explain to this Cour: what: that condition meant? A: Single episode depression or SED is a type ‘of major depression that occurs once, as a result of 8 single psychological trauma. in the case of the patient, hased on our conversations, the only traumatic event which caused the depression was the terrible accident and death of her parents 9: What made you conclude that the patient ‘was suffering from this condition? A: The symptoms of SED, which include insomnia, loss of appetite, which may. or may not lead to weight loss, mood swings ‘and hypnotic spells. matched with the results ‘of the patient's physical examination. Q: How did you treat the patient? A: The patient was admitted to the hospital a5 inpatient. Q: How Jong di she stay at the hospital? A: One month, Your Honor. Q: And what methods or procedures did you site tm treat the nopiane>Q: Will you tell this Honorable Court what Supportive counseling meant? 4: Supportive counseling helps ease the pain of depression and addresses the feeling of hopelessness that accompanies the depression. in the case of the patient, | talk to her about what happened to her during the past week. if the patient mentioned 3 negative event, | ask her what she felt, why she felt that way and how she should have viewed the negative situation. @: And the counseling sessions were at what intervats? A: Once a week, Your Honor. Q: Did you prescribe any medication to the patient? A Yes, | prescribed anti-depressant pills Q: When did you discharge the complainant/ patient? ‘A; September 16, 2006, Your Hahor. @: The medical findings that you had on the complainant, were these reduced into writing? A: Yes, Your Honor, | have made a psychiatric ‘assessment on the medical findings. @: Did you personally prepare the said veriting? ie Yes, Your Honor. @ Does this document have any relation to the report that you have prepared? (Shoring the psychiatric assessment) a: That is the report that Ihave prepared, Your Honor. ATTY. TAPIRE: For the record, the witness has identified this document previously marked a5 Exhibit 2 as the psychiatric assessment record of Catherine jane Manarang, : In the last page of this document, there appears a signature. Whose signature is this, Miss Witness? ‘A: That is my signature, Your Honor. ATTY. TAPIRE: | respectfully request, Your Honor, that the signature appearing in this COURT: Mare it. : Doctor, imho ordered the discharge of the complainant? A: | ordered the discharge, Your Honor, upon request of the compiainant? :; Were there any conditions upon the discharge of the complainant? A. In my discharge summary. | stated that although the patient is being discharged, she is to continue treatment as an outpatient. : Did the patient comply with the condition? No, Your Honor. She did not retum to the hospital after the discharge. Q: Doctor, when the complainant was discharged. what was her condition? ®& There was an improvement in her condition in general, although she is not completely stable yet. Q: What do you mean she is not completely stable yet? ‘A: While she manifested improvement, there is a possibility of relapse. Q: Do you mean to say, Doctor, that the patient's candition may recur? A: if unguarded, Your Honor. Q: Unguarded...? AL if the patient does not follow the treatment plan, the possibility of relapse is high. @: Do you mean to say, Doctor, that. in the case of the complainant, there Is. a possibilty of a relapse, considering she did not return to you for further treatment? A: Yes, Your Honr @: And should there be a relapse. would ‘another suicide be also a possibility? > That is possible, Your Hanor. ATTY. TAPIRE: No further questions, four Honor, COURT: Cross? PROSECUTOR SARSABA: Yes, Your Honor.Crass Examination of Or Lelra Taruc by Prosecutor Ayn Sarsaba @: Doctor, you testified that you treated the ‘complainant for single episode depression. ts ‘that true? A: Yes. Your Honor. Q: When you discharged the complainant, ‘what was her condition? 4: She was emotionally stable. Q: What made you conclude that the patient ‘was emotionally stable? ‘A: During our last counseling session, there ‘were no longer signs of the SED. She no longer showed signs af mood swings. She no longer cried when | asked her about the death of her parents. She said she would not blame herself anymore. Q: You also testified that your relationship ‘with the complainant lasted for one month. Will you tell this Honorable Court why it lasted only for such period? A: The patient responded well during our ‘counseling sessions. The anti-depressant pills which | have prescnbed also worked positively on her. Q: The antidepressant pills that you prescribed: do they have any side effects? A: lasked the patient what she felt after taking the medication. She said she felt drowsy, which is a normal side effect of anti- depressants. Q: Are there any other side effects? A: Other antidepressants make a patient restless and anxious. But the effects really vvary from one person to another. In the case of the complainant, the only effect was drowsiness. Q: You testified that a relapse is possible if the patient does not continue treatment after discharge, is that true? 4: Yes, Your Honor. Q: How high are the chances of a relapse? A: It depends, Your Honor. and they are not followed, a relapse is highly possible. And if the patient does not submit to further counseling sessions when required, a relapse is also possible. 0: Was the complainant under medication ‘when she was discharged? de Yes, but only for anti-depressant, Your ‘Honor. Q: So in your opinion, is the possibility of a relapse high or tow? ‘Av I cannot tell, Your Honor. Q: Would that also mean that, in the case of the complainant, such relapse may not happen? ATTY, TAPIRE: Objection, Your Honor, the ‘question is teading. COURT: Sustained. PROSECUTOR SARSABA: No. questions, Your Honor. further COURT: Re-direct? ATTY. TAPIRE: No, Your Honor. We will call an ‘our last witness, ‘COURT: Miss Witness, You may step down. Call your fast witness. Direct Examination of Kate Munex by Amy. Analita Ocampo ATTY. OCAMPO: May | call on our next witness, Miss Kate Nunez. INTERPRETER: Oo you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth in this case? WITNESS: Yes Ma'am. COURT: Please state your name and other personal circumstances. WITNESS: | am Kate Nunez, 32 years old, married, an officemate of the complginant and a resident of 345, Paco, Manilaeet UURmrU: rme mine iS wen presented to testify on the character and suicidal tendencies of the complainant. May we proceed, Your Honor? COURT: Proceed. Q: Do you know the complainant? : Yes, Your Honor. ©: Why do you know her? & | work with her at the accounting department at Nestle Philippines. : How long have you been officemates? A About twa years ©: How would you describe her as an officemate? Av She is a quiet person, a Joner. Q: In the two years that you've known the complainant, was there any unteward incident which involved her? A: None sir. 0: Was there any time that you noticed Something differant about the camplainant? a Yes. O: What was that? ac | saw her ane time at the comfort room, she was crying while staring at the mirror. Q: What did you do when you saw her crying? ‘A: Lasked her if something wrong happened. Q: What was her answer? Ae She said, “lwanna diel” ©: What did you tell her after she said those words? Ay Lasked her again what happened ©: And what was her answer? Ae She did not say anything, she just stared at me. Q: What was your reaction? Ae I said, “Come on, you can tell me your probiems. O: Did this kind of incident happen again? rs Same incident Q: What did you do during that second incident? A: None. | did not ask her anymore because | know she wouldn't tell me anyway. @ Do you remember what transpired afterwards? A: After about three days, | leamed of the ‘complainant's attempt ta commit suicide. Q: Miss Witness, on june 22, 2006, did you receive an e-mail from the complainant? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Who was the sender of that e-mail? ‘A: R was Catherine, Your Hanor. Q: How do you know? ‘A: Because she used her signature. Your Honor. Q: Miss Witness, please examine this writing. and please tell the Court if you recognized it? A: That is the e-mail sent by the ‘complainant, Your Honor. ATTY. OCAMPO: For the record, the witness has identified this document previously marked as Exhibit A as the printed copy of the e-mail sent by the complainant. @: Can you tell the Court what the e-mail ‘contained? A: It says: "Dear kate, my parents dida’t deserve to die that way. | am so stupid, | should have died with them. | wanna die now!" Q: How sure are you that this is the same = mail which you received from the complainant? A: Because her signature appears at the bottom of the e-mail. Your Honor. Q: This signature appearing here, is this the signature of the complainant? As Yes, Your Honor. ATTY. OCAMPO: Your Honor, it is respectfully requested that the signature appearing in this Exhibit 3 be marked as Exhibit 3-4.(COURT: Cross? PROSECUTOR SARSABA: No cross- ‘examination for the witness, yaur honor. Direct Examination of iris victoria Merin by ‘Atty. Helen Paulette Tapire ATTY, TAPIRE: For the defense, we are ready ‘to present the accused, Your Honor. (COURT: Proceed. INTERPRETER: Do you swear to tell the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth in this, case? WITNESS: Yes Ma'am. COURT: Please state your name’ and other personal circumstances. WITNESS: tris Victoria Uy Merin, 28 years of age, single, faod toxicalogist at the Research and Development Division Nestle Philippines. ‘and a resident of Unit 143 Astral Apartment Padre Faura St. Ermita, Manila. ‘COURT: Your witness. ATTY. TAPIRE: tour Honor, the testimony of the witness is being offered to contravert the material allegations of the information against tris Victoria Merin and to testify that due to the complainant's mental and emotional state, her perspective of the situation cannot be relied upon. May we Proceed, Your Honor? COURT: Proceed. Q: Miss Witness, are you the same Ins Victoria: Metin who is the accused in this case? ‘Ac Yes, Your Honor. Q: Da you naw the complainant? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Da you know her personally? ‘A; Yes. Your Honor. OV Hire are wna related tr he? same company and we live in the same apartment Q: iris Merin, please tell this Honorable Court, where were you on October 17, 2007 at ‘around 6pm? a: | was at the engagement party of Catherine and Richard. Q: Can you recall what happened during that engagement party? | was chatting with Catherine while having a drink. We were in the kitchen then. Afterwards, | saw her holding her abdomen ‘andi vomiting. Q: What were you drinking that time? A: | was drinking margarita, she was drinking Coke 2ero. Q: Then wht happened? A: She dropped to the ground. She was so pale and sweaty. She lost her consciousness. Ritchie calied for an ambulance and then we brought her to the nearby hospital. Q: How long did you stay at the haspital? A: I stayed there overnight O: Before the incident happened. where were you? A: Lwas. at the Starbucks with Catherine. Q: At around what time was that? A: It was around 3pm. It was my coffee break then. Q: Did Catherine go to work that day? &: No, Your Honor. @: Would you know why? A: She told me she would take 2 leave because she needed to prepare for their ‘engagement party Q: Did you go te work that day? A Yes Q: What time did you leave the house? A: eft the hause 4:30 am. Q: So could you positively say that you had Ra iia ahewit what tranenirat an that clausengagement party happened? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Objection, Your Honor! The question is leading. COURT: Sustained Q: When you left the house, what was Catherine daing? A: She was still sleeping, Your Honor. Q: Miss Witness, were you aware that the complainant suffered from a major depression? & Yes. Your Honor. Q: Would you know the reason why she suffered from that depression? A: Because she couldn't accept the untimely death of her parents. She blamed herself for their death: Q: When did her parents die? A: Around May of 2006 Q: After the death of the complainant's Parents, what happened to the complainant? i She became insomniac. There were nights that she couldn't sleep. She also drank liquor more often. She began ta lose weight. There were also mood swings, particularly in the aftemoon. There were times that she would just cry. Sometimes she just keeps quiet and at talk to me. Q: Did the complainant remain that way? &: Yes, Your Honor. 0: For how long did she remain that way? @ [think around two months, before she attempted to end her life. Q: When did she attempt to commit suicide? &: Around july or August 2006, Your Honor. Q: After happened? A: She sought the hetp of a psychiatrist. she committed suicide, what 1: Did you advise her to seek medical help? & No, Your Honer, because | was afraid she'd say I think she’s crazy. 1: Did you do anything to help her? Q: What did you da to help her in her ‘condition? A: | was always talking to her, asking her how she feels. | kept telling her not to be depressed anymore. | also told her to stop drinking. Q: After she sought the heip of a psychiatrist, what happened? A: Catherine recovered fram the depression. She was sleeping well and was no longer drinking often. Q: No mare signs of the depression were present? A: Hmm, sometimes she suddenly kept quiet. ‘There were times | caught her crying sifently. ATTY. TAPIRE : No further questions, Your Honor. COURT: Cross? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Yes, Your Honor. (Crass Examination of iris victoria Merin by Prosecutor Anthony Prestoza Q: In the direct examination. you told this Honorable Court that you work as a food toxicologist, how long have you been practicing this profession? Ae T years. ‘Q: What is your specialization? ‘A: | specialize in chemical analysis of food ‘compasition and toxicity of food contents. Q: So, you have knowledge of different kinds of chemicals and food substances? Ae Yes. Q: Are you familiar with rodenticide? Ae Yes, Your Honor. Q: Is it paisonous? A: Yes, our Honor. Q: Do you think it can kill a person? ‘A: Depending on the amount, Your Hanor. Q: Do you use rodenticide? A: Yes, we use them for killing house rats.@: Do you recognize this box of rat killer, previously marked as Exhibit F? ‘As Yes, Your Honor. Q: Was this the package that contained the rat killer? ‘A: Yes, Your Honor. ‘Q: Were you the one who bought this? : No. It was Catherine who bought ft because she intends tm clean the apartment and to eliminate the rats at home. @: Miss Witness. were you aware of the provision in the I#ase contract which said ‘that it is the responsibility af the lessor to conduct quarterly pest control measures? ‘A: Yes, Your Honer. in fact. | was surprised why Catherine bought rodenticide, well in fact our lease agreement provides that we should report any complaints we have to the lessor. Q: How long have you been staying with the complainant in the same apartment? (A: About 8 years now, Your Honor: Q: Do you have any other companion in the apartment where you and Catherine stay? ‘A: None Q: Does this mean that either only you or ‘Catherine prepares the food and drinks that may be found in the apartment. A: Yes. Except these which are ready to eat ‘or drink. And sometimes if a clase female relative from the province decides to stay for a while in the city. we allow her te stay in the ‘apartment, 'Q: The night before Catherine was poisoned, were there any other person staying with ‘you in the apartment? ‘A: None sir. Q: So during that time, all the drinks and food inside the apariment were either prepared by you or Catherine? ‘A: Most probably, Your Hanor. @ Are you aware of the findings of the doctor who attended Catherine that she was, was brought to the Haspital? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: Where were you during that time? A: was in the office. | have wark. Q: On the day of the incident, what time did you wake up? A: The usuial. 5:30 AM. Q: Did you wake up earlier than Catherine? A: Yes, Your Honor @: During that time, did you notice any grapefruit juice in the ref? A: Yes. We always have some stock of juice. : You testified that you and the complainant were childhood friends. Were you not concemed during the time that she suffered from depression? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: Objection, Your Honor, counsel is speculating. (Pag overruled, ANSWER: | was concemed about her, but’ knowing her, she would not tell me how she feels Decause she liked keeping things to herself) {Pag sustained, reform the question to: WHAT DID YOU 00 TO HELP THE COMPLAINANT DURING THE TIME SHE WAS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION? Answer: | was always talking to her, asking her how she feats, if she was okay oF not.) Q: Miss Witness, do you know the fiancée of the complainant? A: Yes, Your Honor. Q: How did you come to know his? A: He is the head security officer of the company where! and Catherine work. Q: Does he visit your apartment regularly? A: Yes, | think so. 0: Do you entertain him when he visits your place? A: Not at all, I usually give the couple some privacy. Did you like him?Q: Did you nurture any affection towards him? ‘A: No, Your Honor. 0: Are you not jealous ef your best friend? A: No, Your Honor. @: Did you not develop any ill feelings towards your best friend when you learned that she and Ritchie is getting mamied? ‘No, Your Honor. in fact, t'm happy for the both of them. PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: No questions, Your Honor. (COURT: Re-direct? further ATTY. TAPIRE: No, Your Honor. COURT: Miss Witness. You may step down. Formal Otfer of Evidence of Defense ATTY, OCAMPO: Your Honor, we are now resting the case far the defense. COURT: How do you intend to submit your formal offer? ATTY. OCAMPO: We can now formally offer ‘our evidence Your Honor. COURT: Proceed. ATTY. OCAMPO: Exhibit L is the Summary Discharge Report to prove the complainant's admission for treatment at the Medical Center Manila. Exhibit 2 is the Psychiatrie assessment issued by Or. Leira Taruc to prove mental and emotional condition of the complainant at the time she was admitted for psychiatric treatment. Exhibit 2-A is the signature by Dr. Leira Taruc as part of her testimony attesting to the fact that she was the psychiatrist of the complainant at Medical Center Manila. Exhibit 3 consists of printed copies of the electronic malls sent by the complainant and her suicidal tendencies. Exhibit 3-A is the printed copy of the electronic signature of the complainant to prove the authorship of the electronic mails sent by her, COURT: Any comment, Prosecutor Sarsaba? PROSECUTOR PRESTOZA: ‘As to Exhibit 1 and 1A, we can admit its existence and authenticity, Your Honor. As to Exhibit 2 and 2-A. we can only admit the existence but not the authenticity and truthfulness Your Honor. ‘Court: Acting on the formal offer of exhibits ‘of the defense counsel and comments ‘thereon by the public prosecutor, the Court resolves to admit all the exhibits offered by the defense counsel spetified in the offer. COURT: Any rebuttal-avidence, Fiscal? PROSECUTOR SARSABA: Ne rebuttal evidence, Your Honor. COURT: Cansidering that the public prosecutor will mot present’ rebuttal evidence, the court gives the parties 30 days from today within which to file their respective memoranda. The case shall be deemed submitted for decision after the lapse of the said period. even without the said memorandum. (COURT: Order.