Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila

THIRD DIVISION GINA A. DOMINGO, Petitioner, !ersus PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, Respon"ent# G.R. No. 186101 Present$ C%RPIO, J#, Chairperson, CHICO N%&%RIO, VE'%SCO, (R#, N%CHUR%, an" PER%'T%, JJ# Pro)ul*ate"$ October +,, ,--. / DECISION VELASCO, JR., J.: /

The Case This is an appeal fro) the Decision0+1 "ate" No!e)ber ,2, ,--3 of the Court of %ppeals 4C%5 in C% 6#R# CR No# 7++83 entitle" People of the Philippines v. Gina A. Domingo, 9hich affir)e" the Decision0,1 "ate" Ma: ,+, ,--; in Cri)inal Case Nos# < .3 ;8.;+ 3; of the Re*ional Trial Court 4RTC5, =ranch 3- in <ue>on Cit:# The RTC con!icte" petitioner 6ina Do)in*o 4petitioner5 of +; counts of Estafa throu*h ?alsification of Co))ercial Docu)ent#

The Fa !s Pri!ate co)plainant, Re)e"ios D# Pere> 4Re)e"ios5, is a business9o)an an" a !alue" "epositor of the =an@ of the Philippine Islan"s 4=PI5, %urora =oule!ar" branch# Petitioner, on the other han", is a "entist 9ho ha" a clinic in Re)e"iosA co)poun"# =ein* the 9ife of the best frien" of Re)e"iosA son, petitioner ha" a close relationship 9ith Re)e"ios an" her fa)il:# On (une +8, +..8, Re)e"ios acco)panie" petitioner to =PI because the latter 9ante" to open an account therein# Re)e"ios then intro"uce" petitioner to the ban@As staff an" officers# Soon thereafter, petitioner freBuente" Re)e"iosA office an" !olunteere" to "eposit her chec@s in her ban@ account at =PI# So)eti)e in October +..C, Re)e"ios 9ante" to bu: a car thin@in* that she alrea": ha" a substantial a)ount in her account# Thus, she 9ent to =PI to 9ith"ra9 t9o hun"re" thousan" pesos 4PhP ,--,---5# To her surprise, ho9e!er, she foun" out that her )one: ha" alrea": been 9ith"ra9n# The 9ith"ra9als 9ere effecte" throu*h +3 encash)ent slips bearin* her for*e" si*natures reachin* the a)ount of ei*ht hun"re" thirt: ei*ht thousan" pesos 4PhP 373,---5# She "enie" ha!in* affi/e" her si*natures on the encash)ent slips use"# Testi)onies sho9e" that on se!eral occasions be*innin* Septe)ber +3, +..8 until October +3, +..C, petitioner presente" a nu)ber of encash)ent slips of !arious a)ounts to =PI, an" b: !irtue of 9hich she 9as able to 9ith"ra9 hu*e a)ounts of )one: fro) the chec@in* account of the co)plainant# She "eposite" the bi**er portion of these a)ounts to her o9n account an" poc@ete" so)e of the), 9hile also pa:in* the rest to S@:cable# The transactions 9ere processe" b: four tellers of =PI, na)el:$ Re*ina Ra)os, Mar: %ntonette Po>on, Sheila ?erranco, an" Di) Rillo 9ho !erifie" the si*natures of the co)plainant on the Buestione" encash)ent slips# %s s:nthesi>e" b: the trial court, the transactions are as follo9s$
A$o(#! A$o(#! A$o(#! 'a&* !o Na$e o" Te%%e+ )&!h*+a)# ,&a *e'os&!e* !o S./ a0%e 1PS2 o+ )ho '+o esse* e# ash$e#! a (se*-s Po .e!e* 1Po2 0/ !he !+a#sa !&o# s%&' a o(#! !he a (se*

Da!e o" e# ash$e#! s%&'

+# Sept# 3, +..8 ,# Sept# +3, +..8 7# ?eb# +,, +..C 2# ?eb# +8, +..C 8# March ,+, +..C C# %pril 3, +..C ;# %pril +-, +..C 3# %pril ,., +..C .# Ma: +7, +..C +-# Ma: ,2, +..C ++# (une ;, +..C +,# (une ,C, +..C +7# (ul: 8, +..C +2# (ul: +;, +..C +8# %u*# 8, +..C +C# Sept# +;, +..C +;# Oct# 2, +..C +3# Oct# +3, +..C

P+-,---#-7-,---#-7-,---#-,-,---#-2-,---#-2-,---#-7-,---#-2-,---#-2-,---#-8-,---#-2-,---#-28,---#-,8,---#-2-,---#-8-,---#-78,---#-2-,---#-2-,---#--

P3,---#-,-,---#-,3,88-#-,-,---#-7-,---#-78,---#-7-,---#-72,8--#-73,88-#-8-,---#-2-,---#-28,---#-,8,---#-2-,---#-23,88-#-78,---#-2-,---#-2-,---#--

P,,---#-- 4Po5 +-,---#-- 4Po5 +,28-#-- 4PS5 none +-,---#-- 4Po5 8,---#-- 4Po5 none 8,8--#-- 4Po5 +,28-#-- 4PS5 none none none none none +,28-#-- 4PS5 none none none

Re*ina Ra)os Shiela ?erranco Mar: %ntonette Po>on Shiela ?erranco Re*ina Ra)os Shiela ?erranco Re*ina Ra)os Shiela ?erranco Mar: %ntonette Po>on Shiela ?erranco Shiela ?erranco Mar: %ntonette Po>on Mar: %ntonette Po>on Shiela ?erranco Shiela ?erranco Di) P# Rillo Di) P# Rillo

%fter ha!in* been apprise" of the ille*al transactions of petitioner on co)plainantAs account, the latter co)plaine" to the ban@ for allo9in* the 9ith"ra9al of the )one: 9ith the use of falsifie" encash)ent slips an" "e)an"e" that the a)ount ille*all: 9ith"ra9n be returne"# She 9as reBuire" b: =PI to sub)it chec@s bearin* her *enuine si*nature for e/a)ination b: the Philippine National Police 4PNP5 Cri)e 'aborator:# %fter e/a)ination, (osefina "ela Cru> of the PNP Cri)e 'aborator: ca)e up 9ith a fin"in* that co)plainantAs si*natures on the Buestione" encash)ent slips ha" been for*e"# Onl: then "i" the ban@ a*ree to pa: her the a)ount of PhP C28,--representin* a portion of the a)ount ille*all: 9ith"ra9n 9ith the use of the for*e" encash)ent slips# In her "efense, petitioner testifie" that she is a "entist, practicin* her profession in her house at No# ,+, %l!are> Street, Cubao, <ue>on Cit:# She further state" that she @ne9 Re)e"ios as the o9ner of the house that she an" her husban" 9ere rentin* at No# 7 Ne9 (erse: Street, Ne9 Manila, <ue>on Cit:# She "eclare" that she ne!er use" EPere>F as an alias or nic@na)e an" that the si*natures appearin* on the Buestione" encash)ent slips 9ere not hers# Petitioner, ho9e!er, a")itte" that she 9as once a "epositor of =PI %urora =oule!ar" branch, ha!in* opene" an account in sai" ban@

so)eti)e in (une +..8# She ha" been )aintainin* sai" account until she 9as arreste" in +..3# She use" to freBuent the ban@ three ti)es a 9ee@ or as the nee" arose for her ban@ transactions, for 9hich reason, she an" the ban@ tellers ha" beco)e fa)iliar 9ith each other# She @no9s that, li@e her, Re)e"ios 9as also a "epositor of =PI %urora =oule!ar" branch, but there 9as no occasion that the: )et each other in the ban@# Re)e"ios an" =PI file" a co)plaint before the prosecutorAs office# The Infor)ation in Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;+ rea"s as follo9s$
That on or about the +3th "a: of October +..C, in <ue>on Cit:, Philippines, the abo!e na)e" accuse", a pri!ate in"i!i"ual, b: )eans of false pretenses an"Gor frau"ulent acts e/ecute" prior to or si)ultaneousl: 9ith the co))ission of the frau" an" b: )eans of falsification of co))ercial "ocu)ent "i", then an" there 9illfull:, unla9full: an" feloniousl: "efrau" Re)e"ios D# Pere> an"Gor the =an@ of the Philippine Islan"s represente" in the follo9in* )anner, to 9it$ sai" accuse" falsifie" or cause" to be falsifie" an encash)ent slip of =an@ of the Philippine Islan"s "ate" October +3, +..C for P2-,---#--, Philippine Currenc:, b: then an" there fillin* up sai" encash)ent slip an" si*nin* the na)e of one Re)e"ios D# Pere>, a "epositor of sai" ban@ un"er %ccount No# 7+88 -8;, C+, thereb: )a@in* it appear, as it "i" appear that sai" encash)ent slip is *enuine in all respect, 9hen in truth an" in fact sai" accuse" 9ell @ne9 that Re)e"ios D# Pere> ne!er si*ne" the sai" encash)ent slipH that once sai" encash)ent slip 9as for*e" an" falsifie" in the )anner set forth, accuse" preten"in* to be the sai" Re)e"ios D# Pere> use" it to 9ith"ra9 the aforesai" su) of P2-,---#-- fro) the latterAs account, an" once, in possession of the sai" a)ount of )one: )isappropriate", )isapplie" an" con!erte" the sa)e to her o9n personal use an" benefit, to the "a)a*e an" preIu"ice of the offen"e" part:# CONTR%RJ TO '%K#071

The alle*ations in the Infor)ation in Cri)inal Case Nos# < .3 ;8.;, 3; are all substantiall: the sa)e as those in Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;+, e/cept for the "ates of the co))ission of the cri)e or "ates of the =PI encash)ent slips an" the a)ounts in!ol!e", to 9it$
Cri)inal In!ol!e" Case No# Date of the co))ission of the cri)eGencash)ent slip %)ount

+# < .3 ;8.;, +..C ,# < .3 ;8.;7 +..C 7# < .3 ;8.;2 +..C

October P2-,---#-Septe)ber 78,---#-%u*ust 8-,---#--

2, 2, 8,

2# < .3 ;8.;8 +..C 8# < .3 ;8.;C +..C C# < .3 ;8.;; +..C ;# < .3 ;8.;3 +..C 3# < .3 ;8.;. +..C .# < .3 ;8.3+..C +-# < .3 ;8.3+ +..C ++# < .3 ;8.3, +..C +,# < .3 ;8.37 +..C +7# < .3 ;8.32 +..C +2# < .3 ;8.38 +..C +8# < .3 ;8.3C +..C +C# < .3 ;8.3; +..8

(ul: 2-,---#-(ul: ,8,---#-(une 28,---#-(une 2-,---#-Ma: 8-,---#-Ma: 2-,---#-%pril 2-,---#-%pril 7-,---#-%pril 2-,---#-March 2-,---#-?ebruar: ,-,---#-?ebruar: 7-,---#-Septe)ber 7-,---#--021

+;, 8, ,C, ;, ,2, +7, ,., +-, 3, ,+, +8, +,, +3,

Upon )otion b: the prosecution, the +; cases 9ere consoli"ate" an" trie" Iointl: b: the trial court# Khen arrai*ne", petitioner plea"e" not *uilt: to each of the cri)es char*e" in the +; Infor)ations# Trial on the )erits ensue" 9ith the prosecution presentin* se!en 9itnesses, na)el:$ Re)e"iosH %rturo %)ores, 6eneral Mana*er of =PI, %urora =l!"# =ranchH Re*ina Ra)os, Mar: %ntonette Po>on, Sheila ?erranco, an" Di) P# Rillo, all ban@ tellers of =PI, %urora =l!"# =ranchH an" (osefina Dela Cru>, a Docu)ent E/a)iner III of the PNP Cri)e 'aborator:# On the part of the "efense, it presente" petitioner herself an" Car)elita TanaIora, petitionerAs house helper# R(%&#3 o" !he T+&a% Co(+! On Ma: ,+, ,--;, the RTC ren"ere" its Decision, the "ispositi!e portion of 9hich rea"s$
KHERE?ORE, pre)ises consi"ere", Ioint Iu"*)ent is hereb: ren"ere" fin"in* the accuse" 6UI'TJ be:on" reasonable "oubt of the cri)es char*e" in Cri)inal 0Case1 Nos# < .3 ;8.;+H < .3 ;8.;,H < .3 ;8.;7H < .3 ;8.;2H < .3 ;8.;8H < .3 ;8.;CH < .3 ;8.;;H < .3 ;8.;3H < .3 ;8.;.H < .3 ;8.3-H < .3 ;8.3+H < .3 ;8.3,H < .3 ;8.37H < .3 ;8.32H < .3 ;8.38H < .3 ;8.3C an" < .3 ;8.3;# %ccor"in*l:, an"

appl:in* the In"eter)inate Sentence 'a9, she is hereb: sentence" to suffer the penalt: of i)prison)ent, as follo9s$ +# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;+ L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH ,# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;, L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH 7# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;7 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH 2# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;2 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Ei*ht 435 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH 8# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;8 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH C# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;C L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Si/ 4C5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH ;# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;; L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Ei*ht 435 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH 3# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;3 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH .# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.;. L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Ei*ht 435 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +-# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.3- L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH ++# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.3+ L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +,# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.3, L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Si/ 4C5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +7# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.37 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +2# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.32 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Se!en 4;5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH

+8# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.38 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Si/ 4C5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +C# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.3C L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Si/ 4C5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH +;# In Cri)inal Case No# < .3 ;8.30;1 L T9o 4,5 Jears, Ele!en 4++5 Months an" Ele!en 4++5 Da:s of [prision] correccional to Si/ 4C5 Jears an" T9ent: One 4,+5 Da:s of prision mayorH ?urther, the accuse" is hereb: or"ere" to pa: =PI an"Gor Re)e"ios Pere> the total su) of Si/ Hun"re" Thirt: ?i!e Thousan" Pesos 4PC78,---#--5, as ci!il in"e)nit:, plus si/ percent 4CM5 interest per annum fro) the ti)e of the filin* of these cases, until full: pai"# The bon" poste" b: the accuse" for her pro!isional libert: is hereb: cancele"# SO ORDERED#081

R(%&#3 o" !he A''e%%a!e Co(+! On appeal, the C%, in its Decision "ate" No!e)ber ,2, ,--3, "ispose" of the case as follo9s$
KHERE?ORE, pre)ises consi"ere", the %ppeal is hereb: DISMISSED an" the challen*e" (oint Decision of the Court a quo is %??IRMED in toto# SO ORDERED#0C1

The C% hel" that petitioner 9as the one 9ho authore" the cri)es of 9hich she 9as con!icte" reasonin* that she 9as the onl: person 9ho stoo" to be benefite" b: the falsification of the "ocu)ent in BuestionH thus, the presu)ption that she is the )aterial author of the falsification is present# Moreo!er, petitionerAs theor: that the cri)es co))itte" 9ere perpetrate" b: the ban@ tellers or is an insi"e Iob cannot be sustaine" because of the lac@ of an: e!i"ence sho9in* that the tellers harbore" an: ill )oti!e a*ainst her# The C% e)phasi>e" that the "efense of "enial, unsubstantiate" b: clear an" con!incin* e!i"ence, is ne*ati!e an" self ser!in* an" )erits no 9ei*ht in la9H it cannot be *i!en *reater e!i"entiar: !alue than the testi)on: of cre"ible 9itnesses 9ho testifie" on affir)ati!e )atter#

On March 2, ,--., petitioner file" a ti)el: appeal before this Court#

The Iss(es Petitioner interposes in the present appeal the follo9in* assi*n)ent of errors$
I ERROR IN THE %PPRECI%TION O? THE EVIDENCE, DOCUMENT%RJ %ND TESTIMONI%', KERE COMMITTED =J THE 'OKER COURT IN THE PROMU'6%TION %ND ISSU%NCE O? THE SU=(ECT DECISIONH II ERROR IN THE %PP'IC%TION O? THE '%K, SU=ST%NTIVE %ND PROCEDUR%', KERE COMMITTED IN THE PROMU'6%TION O? THE SU=(ECT DECISION#

O(+ R(%&#3 The appeal has no )erit# Substantiall:, the issues raise" boil "o9n to the Buestion of 9hether or not the e!i"ence a""uce" b: the prosecution is sufficient to establish the *uilt of petitioner be:on" reasonable "oubt# E%e$e#!s o" Fa%s&"& a!&o# o" Co$$e+ &a% Do ($e#!s a+e P+ese#! Petitioner conten"s that the "ecision of the lo9er court is not supporte" b: the e!i"ence on recor" an" that this e!i"ence cannot sustain in la9 the reBuire)ents of proof be:on" reasonable "oubt for the cri)e for 9hich she 9as char*e"# Specificall:, petitioner clai)s that, as a )atter of polic:, the ban@ personnel !erifie" the si*nature car"s of pri!ate co)plainant Re)e"ios

before an: encash)ent can be "ra9n a*ainst the account of Re)e"ios# Thus, petitioner conten"s that the si*natures in the encash)ent slips are *enuine as foun" b: the staff an" )ana*er of =PI an" that the cases file" a*ainst her are the pro"ucts of insi"e Iobs# ?urther, she ar*ues that the results of the e/a)inations con"ucte" b: (osefina "ela Cru> of the PNP Cri)e 'aborator: lac@ e!i"entiar: !alue, since the report onl: state" that the si*natures on the Encash)entGKith"ra9al Slips 9ere "ifferent fro) the *enuine si*natures of Re)e"ios base" on the chec@s, 9hich containe" the *enuine si*natures of Re)e"ios, but "i" not state that the si*natures belon* to petitioner# The contentions are fla9e"#

%rticle +;, of the Re!ise" Penal Co"e 4RPC5 punishes an: pri!ate in"i!i"ual 9ho co))its an: of the acts of falsification enu)erate" in %rt# +;+ of the Co"e in an: public or official "ocu)ent or letter of e/chan*e or an: other @in" of co))ercial "ocu)ent# The acts of falsification enu)erate" in %rt# +;+ are$
%rt# +;+# Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastic minister# L The penalt: of prision mayor an" a fine not to e/cee" 8,--- pesos shall be i)pose" upon an: public officer, e)plo:ee or notar: 9ho, ta@in* a"!anta*e of his official position, shall falsif: a "ocu)ent b: co))ittin* an: of the follo9in* acts$ +# Counterfeitin* or i)itatin* an: han"9ritin*, si*nature, or rubricH ,# Ca(s&#3 &! !o a''ea+ !ha! 'e+so#s ha,e 'a+!& &'a!e* &# a#/ a ! o+ '+o ee*&#3 )he# !he/ *&* #o! &# "a ! 'a+!& &'a!eH 7# %ttributin* to persons 9ho ha!e participate" in an act or procee"in* state)ents other than those in fact )a"e b: the)H 2# Ma@in* untruthful state)ents in a narration of factsH 8# %lterin* true "atesH C# Ma@in* an: alteration or intercalation in a *enuine "ocu)ent 9hich chan*es its )eanin*H ;# Issuin* in an authenticate" for) a "ocu)ent purportin* to be a cop: of an ori*inal "ocu)ent 9hen no such ori*inal e/ists, or inclu"in* in such cop: a state)ent contrar: to, or "ifferent fro), that of the *enuine ori*inalH or 3# Intercalatin* an: instru)ent or note relati!e to the issuance thereof in a protocol, re*istr: or official boo@# 4E)phasis an" un"erscorin* supplie"#5

Essentiall:, the ele)ents of the cri)e of ?alsification of Co))ercial Docu)ent un"er %rt# +;, are$ 4+5 that the offen"er is a pri!ate in"i!i"ualH

4,5 that the offen"er co))itte" an: of the acts of falsificationH an" 475 that the act of falsification is co))itte" in a co))ercial "ocu)ent# %s borne b: the recor"s, all the ele)ents of the cri)e are present in the instant case# Petitioner is a pri!ate in"i!i"ual 9ho presente" to the tellers of =PI +; for*e" encash)ent slips on "ifferent "ates an" of !arious a)ounts# The Buestione" encash)ent slips 9ere falsifie" b: petitioner b: fillin* out the sa)e an" si*nin* the na)e of the pri!ate co)plainant, thereb: )a@in* it appear that Re)e"ios si*ne" the encash)ent slips an" that the: are *enuine in all respects, 9hen in fact petitioner @ne9 !er: 9ell that Re)e"ios ne!er si*ne" the subIect encash)ent slips# In her testi)on:, Re)e"ios cate*oricall: "enie" ha!in* fille" out an" si*ne" an: of the subIect encash)ent slips on the "ates in"icate" on the)# Her testi)on: is further stren*thene" b: the testi)onies of the ban@ )ana*er an" the ban@ tellers, 9ho facilitate" the ban@in* transactions carrie" out b: petitioner 9ith their branch# Their testi)onies 9ere coherent an" consistent in narratin* that it 9as in"ee" petitioner 9ho presente" the encash)ent slips, recei!e" the procee"s of the transactions, an"Gor cause" the transfer of the )one: to her o9n ban@ account# Moreo!er, the testi)on: of (osefina "ela Cru> 4"ela Cru>5 bolsters the fin"in*s of the trial court that the alle*e" si*natures of Re)e"ios in the encash)ent slips are for*e", to 9it$
<$ Usin* the )etho" :ou e)plo:e" in the e/a)ination of Buestione" an" stan"ar" si*natures of Re)e"ios Pere>, 9ill :ou please elaborate the stu": :ou )a"eN %fter con"uctin* the e/a)ination, I re"uce" ): e/a)ination to 9ritin* an" ): fin"in*s are as follo9s$ OScientific co)parati!e e/a)ination an" anal:sis of the Buestione" "ocu)ents an" the sub)itte" stan"ar" si*nature re!eals si*nificant "i!er*ences in han"9ritin* )o!e)ent, stro@e structure an" other in"i!i"ual han"9ritin* characteristics#A <$ Jou )entione" "i!er*ences in han"9ritin* )o!e)ent, 9ill :ou please point to this Honorable Court this si*nificant "i!er*ences of "ifferences in the stro@es of han"9ritin*N ?irst of all the )anner of e/ecution# The )anner of e/ecution is slo9 9hile in the e/ecution of the stan"ar", it is )o"erate# The line Bualit: in the Buestione" si*nature, there is presence of tre)ors in the stro@es 9hile in the stan"ar" si*natures, all the stro@es are s)ooth# In the capital ORA in the Buestione" si*nature, there is presence of re trace stro@es 9hile in the stan"ar" si*nature, there is no re trace stro@es# In the "o9n9ar" portion of the letter ORA in the Buestione" si*nature, the "irection is "o9n9ar" 9hile in the

%$

%$

stan"ar" it is hori>ontal# No9 the an*ular stro@es follo9in* the capital ORA is trace" in the )i""le part of the letter ORA, the "o9n9ar" portion 9hile in the stan"ar", it is foun" in the last stro@e of capital ORA# In the )i""le na)e letter ODA, the shape is )ore roun"e" on the Buestione" si*nature but in the stan"ar" it is )ore elon*ate"# In the loop of the fa)il: na)e, it is )ore roun"e" in Buestione" si*nature0H1 9hile in the stan"ar", it is )ore elon*ate"# Kith that, I 9as able to conclu"e that the Buestione" si*natures Re)e"ios D# Pere> )ar@e" O< +A to O< 7CA stan"ar" si*natures of Re)e"ios Pere> )ar@e" OS +A to OS ,;A inclusi!e 9ere not 9ritten b: one an" the sa)e person#0;1

T:picall:, such inconspicuous "i!er*ences note" b: "ela Cru> on the Buestione" si*natures coul" not be easil: "etecte" b: untraine" e:es or b: one 9ho ha" no for)al trainin* in han"9ritin* e/a)inationH thus, resort to the opinion of an e/pert is i)perati!e# This e/plains 9h: the ban@ tellers 9ho processe" the ille*al transactions entere" into b: the petitioner on the account of Re)e"ios faile" to notice the for*er: or falsification# %s a result, the: allo9e" the encash)ent b: petitioner# The trainin* or s@ill, if an:, of the tellers in "etectin* for*eries is usuall: )ini)al or ina"eBuate an" their opinion is *enerall: unreliable# It 9as, therefore, pru"ent on the part of the ban@ to see@ the opinion of an e/pert to "eter)ine the *enuineness of the si*natures in the encash)ent slips# %s foun" b: the trial court, the totalit: of the testi)onies of Re)e"ios, "ela Cru>, the han"9ritin* e/pert, an" the ban@ tellers bears the ear)ar@s of truth that the Buestione" encash)ent slips ha" been falsifie" b: petitioner an" that the: 9ere presente" to the ban@ in or"er to "efrau" the ban@ or hol"er of the account# %""itionall:, the Court has hel" that in *au*in* the relati!e 9ei*ht to be *i!en to the opinion of han"9ritin* e/perts, the follo9in* stan"ar"s are a"here" to$
Ke ha!e hel" that the !alue of the opinion of a han"9ritin* e/pert "epen"s not upon his )ere state)ents of 9hether a 9ritin* is *enuine or false, but upon the assistance he )a: affor" in pointin* out "istin*uishin* )ar@s, characteristics an" "iscrepancies in an" bet9een *enuine an" false speci)ens of 9ritin* 9hich 9oul" or"inaril: escape notice or "etection fro) an unpractice" obser!er# The test of *enuineness ou*ht to be the rese)blance, not the for)ation of letters in so)e other speci)ens but to the *eneral character of 9ritin*, 9hich is i)presse" on it as the in!oluntar: an" unconscious result of constitution, habit or other per)anent course, an" is, therefore itself per)anent#031

Moreo!er, it cannot be sai" that since none of the prosecution 9itnesses sa9 the falsification actuall: "one b: petitioner, she cannot be hel" liable# The ban@ tellers 9ho processe" the ille*al transactions of petitioner in!ol!in* the account of Re)e"ios 9ere consistent in their testi)onies that it 9as petitioner herself 9ho presente" the encash)ent slips an" recei!e" the procee"s of the slips# In such a situation, the applicable rule is that if a person has in his possession a falsifie" "ocu)ent an" he )a"e use of it, ta@in* a"!anta*e of it an" profitin* fro) it, the presu)ption is that he is the )aterial author of the falsification# 0.1 In the instant case, petitioner has faile" to o!erthro9 the presu)ption# ?urther)ore, contrar: to petitionerAs assertions, the Buestione" encash)ent slips are co))ercial "ocu)ents# Co))ercial "ocu)ents are, in *eneral, "ocu)ents or instru)ents 9hich are use" b: )erchants or business)en to pro)ote or facilitate tra"e#0+-1 %n encash)ent slip necessaril: facilitates ban@ transactions for it allo9s the person 9hose na)e an" si*nature appears thereon to encash a chec@ an" 9ith"ra9 the a)ount in"icate" therein# E!en )ore, petitioner 9oul" ha!e this Court belie!e that the cri)e of falsification of a co))ercial "ocu)ent "i" not e/ist because Re)e"ios an" =PI "i" not suffer an: "a)a*e# Such ar*u)ent is specious# It has been rule" that "a)a*e or intent to cause "a)a*e is not an ele)ent in falsification of a co))ercial "ocu)ent, because 9hat the la9 see@s to repress is the preIu"ice to the public confi"ence in such "ocu)ents#0++1

Therefore, the acts of petitioner clearl: satisf: all the essential ele)ents of the cri)e of ?alsification of Co))ercial Docu)ent# C+&$e o" Fa%s&"& a!&o# )as a Ne essa+/ Mea#s !o Co$$&! Es!a"a It has been hel" that 9hene!er a person carries out on a public, official, or co))ercial "ocu)ent an: of the acts enu)erate" in %rt# +;+ of the RPC as a necessar: )eans to perpetrate another cri)e, such as estafa or )al!ersation, a co)ple/ cri)e is for)e" b: the t9o cri)es#0+,1

Un"er %rt# 23 of the RPC, a co)ple/ cri)e refers to$ 4+5 the co))ission of at least t9o *ra!e or less *ra!e felonies that )ust both 4or all5 be the result of a sin*le actH or 4,5 one offense )ust be a necessar: )eans for co))ittin* the other 4or others5# The falsification of a public, official, or co))ercial "ocu)ent )a: be a )eans of co))ittin* estafa, because before the falsifie" "ocu)ent is actuall: utili>e" to "efrau" another, the cri)e of falsification has alrea": been consu))ate", "a)a*e or intent to cause "a)a*e not bein* an ele)ent of the cri)e of falsification of public, official, or co))ercial "ocu)ent# In other 9or"s, the cri)e of falsification has alrea": e/iste"# %ctuall: utili>in* that falsifie" public, official, or co))ercial "ocu)ent to "efrau" another is estafa# =ut the "a)a*e is cause" b: the co))ission of estafa, not b: the falsification of the "ocu)ent# Therefore, the falsification of the public, official, or co))ercial "ocu)ent is onl: a necessar: )eans to co))it estafa#0+71

In *eneral, the ele)ents of estafa are$ 4+5 that the accuse" "efrau"e" another 4a5 b: abuse of confi"ence or 4b5 b: )eans of "eceitH an" 4,5 that "a)a*e or preIu"ice capable of pecuniar: esti)ation is cause" to the offen"e" part: or thir" person# Deceit is the false representation of a )atter of fact, 9hether b: 9or"s or con"uct, b: false or )islea"in* alle*ations, or b: conceal)ent of that 9hich shoul" ha!e been "isclose"H an" 9hich "ecei!es or is inten"e" to "ecei!e another so that he shall act upon it, to his le*al inIur:# In the case before us, all the ele)ents of estafa are present# Once petitioner acBuire" the possession of the a)ounts she encashe" b: )eans of "eceit, she )isappropriate", )isapplie", an" con!erte" the sa)e to her o9n personal use an" benefit, to the "a)a*e an" preIu"ice of the pri!ate co)plainant an" =PI# Kithout a "oubt, the falsification of the encash)ent slips 9as a necessar: )eans to co))it estafa# %t that ti)e, the offense of falsification is alrea": consi"ere" consu))ate" e!en before the falsifie" "ocu)ent is use" to "efrau" another# Therefore, the trial court aptl: con!icte" petitioner for the co)ple/ cri)e of Estafa throu*h ?alsification of Co))ercial Docu)ent#

De"e#se o" De#&a% Is 4#!e#a0%e It is a hornboo@ "octrine that the "efense of "enial, unsubstantiate" b: clear an" con!incin* e!i"ence, is ne*ati!e an" self ser!in*, an" )erits no 9ei*ht in la9 an" cannot be *i!en *reater e!i"entiar: !alue than the testi)on: of cre"ible 9itnesses 9ho testifie" on affir)ati!e )atters#0+21

In the instant case, petitionerAs "efense of "enial cru)bles in the face of the positi!e i"entification )a"e b: the prosecution 9itnesses "urin* trial# %s enunciate" b: this Court, E0p1ositi!e i"entification 9here cate*orical an" consistent an" not atten"e" b: an: sho9in* of ill )oti!e on the part of the e:e9itnesses on the )atter pre!ails o!er alibi an" "enial#F0+81 The "efense has )iserabl: faile" to sho9 an: e!i"ence of ill )oti!e on the part of the prosecution 9itnesses as to falsel: testif: a*ainst her# Thus, bet9een the cate*orical state)ents of the prosecution 9itnesses, on the one han", an" bare "enials of the accuse", on the other han", the for)er )ust, perforce, pre!ail#0+C1 Ke accor" the trial courtAs fin"in*s the probati!e 9ei*ht it "eser!es in the absence of an: co)pellin* reason to "iscre"it its fin"in*s# It is a fun"a)ental Iu"icial "ictu) that the fin"in*s of fact of the trial court are not "isturbe" on appeal, e/cept 9hen it o!erloo@e", )isun"erstoo", or )isapplie" so)e facts or circu)stances of 9ei*ht an" substance that 9oul" ha!e )ateriall: affecte" the outco)e of the case# Ke fin" that the trial court "i" not err in con!ictin* petitioner of the cri)e of Estafa throu*h ?alsification of Co))ercial Docu)ent#

5HEREFORE, the appeal is DENIED for failure to sufficientl: sho9 re!ersible error in the assaile" "ecision# The Decision "ate" No!e)ber ,2, ,--3 of the C% in C% 6#R# CR No# 7++83 is AFFIRMED# No costs# SO ORDERED. PRES6ITERO J. VELASCO, JR. %ssociate (ustice

KE CONCUR$

ANTONIO T. CARPIO %ssociate (ustice Chairperson

MINITA V. CHICO7NA8ARIO 6. NACH4RA %ssociate (ustice

ANTONIO ED4ARDO %ssociate (ustice

DIOSDADO M. PERALTA %ssociate (ustice

ATTESTATION I attest that the conclusions in the abo!e Decision ha" been reache" in consultation before the case 9as assi*ne" to the 9riter of the opinion of the CourtAs Di!ision#

ANTONIO T. CARPIO %ssociate (ustice Chairperson

CERTIFICATION Pursuant to Section +7, %rticle VIII of the Constitution, an" the Di!ision ChairpersonAs %ttestation, I certif: that the conclusions in the abo!e Decision ha" been reache" in consultation before the case 9as assi*ne" to the 9riter of the opinion of the CourtAs Di!ision#

LEONARDO A. 94IS4M6ING %ctin* Chief (ustice

ollo, pp# 8C ;3# Penne" b: %ssociate (ustice M:rna Di)aranan Vi"al an" concurre" in b: %ssociate (ustices (ose '# Sabio, (r# an" (ose C# Re:es, (r# 0,1 I"# at 73 82# Penne" b: (u"*e Ma# Theresa Dela Torre Ja"ao# 071 I"# at 73 7.# 021 I"# at 7.# 081 I"# at 8, 82# 0C1 I"# at ;3# 0;1 I"# at 28 2C# 031 !"uarte v. #ourt of Appeals , 6#R# No# +-8.22, ?ebruar: ., +..C, ,87 SCR% 7.+, 7..H citations o)itte"# 0.1 Pacasum v. People, 6#R# No# +3-7+2, %pril +C, ,--.# 0+-1 $ontever"e v. People, 6#R# No# +7.C+-, %u*ust +,, ,--,, 73; SCR% +.C# 0++1 See %amson v. #ourt of Appeals, +-7 Phil# ,;; 4+.835# 0+,1 Ambito v. People, 6#R# No# +,;7,;, ?ebruar: +7, ,--.# 0+71 , Re:es, THE REVISED PEN%' CODE ,,C 4,--C5# 0+21 People v. Aguilar, 6#R# No# +;;;2., Dece)ber +;, ,--;, 82- SCR% 8-.H People v. #astillo, 6#R# No# ++3.+,, Ma: ,3, ,--2, 27- SCR% 2-# 0+81 People v. Aboli"or, 6#R# No# +2;,7+, ?ebruar: +3, ,--2, 2,7 SCR% ,C-# 0+C1 People v. &ello, 6#R# No# .,8.;, October 2, +..2, ,7; SCR% 72;H People v. #ari'o, 6#R# No# .C8+-, (ul: C, +..2, ,77 SCR% C3;#
0+1