51.

People vs Morilla GR 189833 February 2014

Doctrine: It need not be shown that the parties actually came together and agreed in express
terms to enter into and pursue a common design. The assent of the minds may be and, from the
secrecy of the crime, usually inferred from proof of facts and circumstances which, taken
together, indicate that they are parts of some complete whole.

FACTS:

In October 2001, police discovered Ronnie Mitra, mayor of Panulukan, Quezon and Javier Morilla to be
transporting methampethamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu.

While in a checkpoint, the Starex Car of the Mayor was able to pass inspection, but the ambulance that
was driven by Morilla was inspected when the police noticed some sacks inside the van. They asked
Morilla to open the sacks but he refused, suggesting that they were only pieces of narra and the sacks
are of Mayor’s. The police insisted to inspect the ambulance and they discovered that the sacks were
sacks of shabu. The discovery prompted the police to chase the Starex Van of the Mayor Mitra, and later
discovered that there were also sacks of shabu inside his car.

RTC found Mayor Mitra and Morilla guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Dangerous Drugs Act and
sentenced to suffer life imprisonment and to pay fine of P10 Million each. CA affirmed the decision.

Moriila raised the issue of whether he may be consvicted for conspiracy to commit the offense charged .
Hence, the petition.

ISSUE:

Whether or not Javier Morilla is guilty for conspiring with Mayor Ronnie Mitra.

RULING:

Yes, he is guilty.

Under the law, in conspiracy, it need not be shown that the parties actually came together and agreed in
express terms to enter into and pursue a common design. The assent of the minds may be and, from the
secrecy of the crime, usually inferred from proof of facts and circumstances which, taken together,
indicate that they are parts of some complete whole.

In this case, the totality of the factual circumstances leads to a conclusion that Morilla conspired with
Mayor Mitra in a common desire to transport the dangerous drugs.