#24 People v CA, GR 187409, 16 Nov 2011

REYES, J.

FACTS: Petitioners filed a complaint against Hilario and his wife, Socorro Florece, for falsification of public
document. In the said complaint, petitioners alleged that they are the children-heirs of the late spouses
Gavino and Clara Florece, who were the owners of a certain parcel of land in La Purisima, Nabua,
Camarines Sur. Sometime in 2003, Felix erected a nipa hut in said parcel of land, however protested the
same, claiming that he was the owner of said land. Hilarios parents acquired the property from the
petitioners as evidenced by a Deed of Absolute Sale. The MCTC and the RTC convicted the accused.
Thereafter, Socorro filed a Petition for Review with the CA asserting that the prosecution failed to prove
that she indeed falsified the questioned deed and that her conviction for the offense charged was merely
based on presumption. The CA acquitted Socorro. Petitioners petitioned for review on certiorari before
the SC.

ISSUE: Can an acquittal be subject to a petition for review on certiorari?

RULING: NO. A review of the findings of the CA acquitting Socorro of the charge against her is not
warranted under the circumstances as it runs afoul of the avowed constitutional right of an accused
against double jeopardy. A verdict of acquittal is immediately final, and a re-examination of the merits of
such acquittal, even in the appellate courts, will put the accused in jeopardy for the same offense.