BP22 (pdl) ambito vs. people (SC)

7/25/2019 BP22 (pdl) ambito vs. people (SC)

1/26

FIRST DIVISION

LIBERATA AMBITO,

BASILIO AMBITO, andCRISANTO AMBITO,

Petitioner,

- versus -

PEOPLE OF THEPHILIPPINES and COURT OF

APPEALS,

Respondents.

.R. No. !"#$"#

Present:

PUNO, C.J., Chairperson,

CARPIO,

CORONA,

AZCUNA, and

LEONARDO-DE CASTRO,JJ.

Promulgated:

e!ruar" #$, %&&'

(------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(

D E C I S I O N

LEONARDO%DE CASTRO, J.&

)e*ore t+s Court s a Petton *or Reve on Certorar under Rule ./

o* t+e Rules o* Cvl Pro0edure o* t+e De0son#1#2o* res3ondent Court o*

A33eals 4CA5, dated 6ar0+ %', #''7, n CA-G.R. CR No. 12727, enttled

People of the Philippines v. Liberata Ambito, et al., *led !" 3ettoners

L!erata Am!to, )aslo Am!to and Crsanto Am!to8 T+e assaled CAde0son a**rmed t+e 9udgment o* 0onv0ton o* mult3le 0+arges o*

volaton o* )atas Pam!ansa )lg8 %% 4)8P8 )lg8 %%5 meted u3on 0o-3ettoner

)aslo Am!to mult3le 0+arges o* t+e 0om3le( o**ense o* Esta*a t+roug+

als*0aton o* Commer0al Do0uments, de*ned and 3enal;ed n Art0les

.


2/26

rendered !" t+e Regonal Tral Court 4RTC5 o* Ilolo Ct", )ran0+ %7, dated

Novem!er %', #''&, n t+e 0onsoldated Crmnal Case Nos8 #.//7 to

#./s n t+e 3rovn0e o* Ilolo namel", t+e Communt" Rural

)an> o* Leon, In08, n t+e mun03alt" o* Leon, and t+e Rural )an> o*)anate, In08 n t+e mun03alt" o* )anate8 In addton, t+e s3ouses

Am!to ere t+e oners o* Casette 1?a9;ette2 Enter3rses, a 0ommer0alesta!ls+ment n @aro, Ilolo Ct" engaged n 3ro0urng *arm m3lements

ntended *or t+e use o* t+e agr0ultural loan !orroers o* t+e sad !an>s8T+e s3ouses Am!to o!taned t+er su33l" o* *arm m3lements and s3are

3arts *rom t+e Ilolo Ct" !ran0+ o* Pa0*0 Star In08 +0+ as t+en

engaged n sellng Banmar ma0+neres and s3are 3arts8

On several o00asons n #'=', t+e s3ouses )aslo Am!to and

L!erata Am!to transa0ted !usness t+ Pa0*0 Star, In08 +ere!" t+e"3ur0+ased Banmar ma0+neres and s3are 3arts *rom t+e sad 0om3an"

allegedl" *or t+e use o* t+e loan !orroers o* t+er !an>s8 In t+ese

transa0tons, t+e s3ouses Am!to made don 3a"ments n t+er 3ur0+aseset+er n 0ase, n 0+e0>s or n 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost ssued !" t+e

Rural )an> o* )anate, In08 and t+e Communt" Rural )an> o* Leon, In08

oever, +en t+e 6anla )an>ng Cor3oraton 46anla )an>50+e0>s ssued !" )aslo Am!to as don 3a"ment o* t+er 3ur0+ases

ere 3resented *or 3a"ment !" t+e draee !an>, t+e same ere

ds+onored *or nsu**0en0" o* *unds8 T+ese are C+e0> No8 ='#=$'.7dated @une %&, #'=' n t+e amount o* P$',#7 No8 ='#=$'.< dated @une #/, #'=' n t+e amount o*P=/,/'/8&& 4E(+8 A, CC #.//=5 C+e0> No8 ='#=$'.= dated @une $&,

#'=' n t+e amount o* P./,'/=8&& 4E(+8 A, CC No8 #.// No8='# No8 ='#


3/26

6arl"n Tra9e at *rst re*used to gve L!erata Am!to t+e sad 0ert*0ates

!ut t+e latter s0olded +er, at t+e same tme assurng +er t+at s+e ould !e

res3ons!le to an"!od" *or t+e ssuan0e o* sad 0ert*0ates n0ludng3ersonnel and nvestgators o* t+e Central )an> tas>ed t+ t+e

e(amnaton o* t+e a00ounts o* t+e !an>8 A*rad t+at s+e ould lose +er

9o! * s+e ould not *ollo L!erata Am!to8 6arl"n Tra9e sgned andgave t+e !lan> 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost to +er t+out re0evng an"

0onsderaton t+ere*ore8

T+e same t+ng +a33ened to Re"naldo )aron, t+e 0as+er o* t+e

Communt" Rural )an> o* Leon, In08 +o as as>ed !" t+e s3ouses

Am!to as ell as t+e manager o* t+e !an>, Crsanto Am!to, to sgn and

gve !lan> 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost to t+em8 Re"naldo )aron as at*rst +estant to a00ommodate t+e reuest o* t+e Am!tos !ut due to t+er

3erssten0e and 0onsderng t+at t+e" ere +s su3erors and oners o* t+e

!an>, )aron sgned t+e 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost n !lan> and gave t+e

same to t+e Am!tos8 F+en )aron as>ed *or t+e du3l0ate 0o3es o* t+e0ert*0ates, +e as told t+at t+e" ere stll negotatng t+ Pa0*0 Star,

In08 Later, t+e Am!tos told )aron t+at t+e transa0ton as 0an0elled andt+at +e s+ould 9ust 0ause t+e 3rntng o* smlar !lan> 0ert*0ates !" t+e

A3ostol Prntng Press n Ilolo Ct"8 )aron got s0ared and o!9e0ted to

t+e dea vou0+ed to +m !" t+e Am!tos untl *nall" +e resgned *rom +s9o! !e0ause +e 0ould no longer t+stand t+e 3ressure e(erted on +m

nvolvng transa0tons +e !eleved ere anomalous8 )aron or>ed as

0as+er o* t+e Communt" Rural )an> o* Leon, In08 *rom August to

De0em!er #'='8 F+en t+e Central )an> nvestgators 0ame and0ondu0ted e(amnaton o* t+e re0ords and transa0tons o* t+e !an>, )aron

re3orted t+e anomales to t+em8

T+e !lan> 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost o* t+e Rural )an> o* )anate,

In08 o!taned !" t+e s3ouses )aslo and L!erata Am!to *rom 6arl"n

Tra9e ere *lled u3 t+ t+e amounts o* de3ost and t+e name o* t+ePa0*0 Star, In08 as de3ostor and used !" t+e s3ouses as don 3a"ments

o* t+e 3ur0+ase 3r0e o* t+e ma0+neres and s3are 3arts 3ur0+ased *rom

t+e Pa0*0 Star, In08 T+ese 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost are as *ollos:

#8 Cert*0ate o* Tme De3ost No8 &=', due date 6a" =,

#'=', n t+e amount o* P=,%=78/& 4E(+8 A, Crm8Case No8 #./7$5 as don 3a"ment o* t+e art0les

0overed !" Sales Invo0e No8 $&&% dated Novem!er ',

#'=< o* Pa0*0 Star, In08 4E(+8 A-#, Crm8 Case No8#./7$5

%8 Cert*0ate o* Tme De3ost Nos8 &


4/26

o* P=,'./8&& as don 3a"ment, Sales Invo0e No8 $&&=

dated Novem!er %=, #'=< and Sales Invo0e No8 $&& e(amner o* t+e Central )an>,

as a33onted de3ut" re0ever and later de3ut" ludator o* t+e

Communt" Rural )an> o* Leon8 T+e Central )an> too> over t+e a**arsand re0ords o* t+e !an>s n0ludng t+er de3osts, assets and la!ltes8

Re0ords s+oed no 0ert*0ate o* tme de3ost n t+e name o* Pa0*0 Star,

In08 3ro3erl" *unded and 0overed !" an" de3ost8 Anomalous ssuan0es o*

0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost ere un0overed as, *or nstan0e, Communt"

Rural )an> o* Leon, In08 Cert*0ates o* Tme De3ost Nos8 &$' 4E(+8A, Crm8 Case No8 #./


7/26

reasona!le dou!t o* t+e o**ense o* volaton o* t+e

3rovsons o* Se0ton # o* )atas Pam!ansa )lg8 %% and

+ere!" senten0es t+e sad a00used to su**er n ea0+ o* t+eseven 0ases, t+e 3enalt" o* m3rsonment o* SIG 475

6ONTS and ONE 4#5 DAB and to ndemn*" t+e

o**ended 3art", Pa0*0 Star, In08 t+e total sum o*P#=$,.


8/26

+ere!" senten0es t+e sad a00used to su**er, n ea0+ o*

t+ese 0ases, an ndetermnate 3rson senten0e rangng *rom

OUR 4.5 BEARS, TFO 4%5 6ONTS o* 3rson0orre00onal as mnmum, to EIJT 4


9/26

ma"or as ma(mum, and to ndemn*" t+e o**ended 3art",

Pa0*0 Star, In08, t+e sum o* P/&,///8&& t+ nterests

t+ereon at t+e legal rate o* #%H 3er annum *rom t+e dateo* t+e *lng o* t+e In*ormatons on 6a" #&, #'


10/26

*rom t+e date o* t+e *lng o* t+e In*ormatons on 6a" #&,

#'


11/26

Resoluton/1/2dated Novem!er


12/26

In t+er Petton,#=1#=23ettoners rased t+e *ollong grounds:

A. THE RESONDENT COURT OF APPEALSCOMMITTED A REVERSIBLE ERROR IN FINDIN

THE PETITIONERS UILT' OF THE OFFENSES

IMPUTED TO THEM, THERE BEIN

UNCONTROVERTED EVIDENCE SHO(IN THAT

FROM THE NATURE OF THE TRANSACTIONS AND

DEALINS BET(EEN THE PETITIONERS AND PSI

FOR A LON PERIOD OF !) 'EARS, THE LIABILIT'

OF THE PETITIONERS, IF AN', IS ONL' CIVIL IN

NATURE, AND NO CRIMINAL LIABILIT' ATTACHESTO THEM.

B. THE RESPONDENT COURT OF APPEALS

COMMITTED A REVERSIBLE ERROR IN FINDIN

THE PETITIONERS UILT' BE'OND REASONABLE

DOUBT OF ALL THE OFFENSES IMPUTED TO THEM,

THE FACTS OF THE CASE SHO(IN THAT THE

VALUE OF THE SUB*ECT CHEC+S AND CCTDS

CREDIT CERTIFICATES OF TIME DEPOSIT- HAVE

ALREAD' BEEN FULL' PAID PRIOR TO THE

INSTITUTION OF THE CRIMINAL CASES BELO(.

C. ANENT CRIMINAL CASE NOS. !)/ TO !)/",

THE RESPONDENT COURT OF APPEALS


THE PETITIONER BASILIO AMBITO UILT'

BE'OND REASONABLE DOUBT OF THE OFFENSE

OF VIOLATION OF BP"" DESPITE THE LAC+ OF

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PRIOR NOTICE OFDISHONOR AND DEMAND FOR PA'MENT OF THE

ALLEED DISHONORED CHEC+S IVEN B' PSI TO

PETITIONERS.

D. ANENT CRIMINAL CASE NOS. !)/, !)# AND

!)0, THE RESPONDENT COURT COMMITTED A

REVERSIBLE ERROR IN FINDIN PETITIONER

BASILIO AMBITO UILT' OF VIOLATION OF BP""

DESPITE THAT THE SUB*ECT CHEC+S (ERE NOT

PRESENTED FOR PA'MENT (ITHIN 12 DA'S FROM

DATE OF CHEC+.

E. ANENT CRIMINAL CASE NOS. !)/ AND !)#,


17


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PETITIONER BASILIO AMBITO UILT' OF THE

OFFENSE OF VIOLATION OF BP"" DESPITE THAT

THERE (AS IN EACH CASE NO PROPER EVIDENCE

OFFERED TO PROVE THE CRIME CHARED.

F. ANENT CRIMINAL CASE NOS. !)/$ TO !)0,




DOUBT OF THE OFFENSE OF ESTAFA B' FALSE

PRETENSES COMPLE3ED (ITH FALSIFICATION OF

A COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT, THERE BEIN

PROSECUTION EVIDENCE TENDIN TO SHO( THE

LAC+ OF THE ELEMENT OF DECEIT.

. ANENT CRIMINAL CASE NOS. !)/$ TO !)0,




DOUBT OF ESTAFA B' FALSE PRETENSES

COMPLE3ED (ITH FALSIFICATION OF A

COMMERCIAL DOCUMENT, IT BEIN CLEAR FROM

THE FACE OF THE SUB*ECT CCTDS THEMSELVES

THAT THERE THEREIN E3ISTS NO FALSE

NARRATION OF FACTS.

H. THE RESPONDENT COURT OF APPEALS

COMMITTED A REVERSIBLE ERROR IN REFUSIN

TO RESOLVE THE ASSINED ERROR OF DOUBLE

PA'MENT OF IMDEMNIT' OR CIVIL LIABILIT' ON

THE MERITS THEREOF, IT BEIN IN A POSITION TO

DO SO, AND DESPITE TIMEL' NOTICE OF THE

PRIOR INSTITUTION OF THE CIVIL CASEINVOLVIN THE SAME TRANSACTIONS AS IN THE

CASES AT BAR.#


14/26

Fe +old t+e 3etton to !e mertorous n 3art8

Anent t+e ssue o* +et+er or not 0o-3ettoner )aslo Am!tos

0onv0ton n Crmnal Case Nos8 #.//7 to #./7% *or t+e seven 4=5 0ounts o*

volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %% as n a00ordan0e t+ la, 3ettoners argue t+at

+e 0annot !e 0onv0ted o* t+e same sn0e t+e 3rose0uton allegedl" *aled to

3rove t+e ds3ensa!le elements o* 3ror not0e o* ds+onor and demand *or

3a"ment o* t+e 0+e0>s at ssue8#'1#'2 urt+ermore, t+e" nsst t+at t+ere s no

volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %%, 3art0ularl" n Crmnal Case Nos8 #.//7, #.//=

and #.//< as t+e su!9e0t 0+e0>s t+eren ere 3resented *or 3a"ment more

t+an nnet" 4'&5 da"s *rom date8%&1%&2

In res3onse, t+e O**0e o* t+e Sol0tor Jeneral 4OSJ5 asserts t+at

3ettoners 0lam o* ne0essar" and nds3ensa!le elements o* not0e o*

ds+onor and demand to 3a" 0annot !e *ound n t+e statute de*nng t+e

essental elements o* volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %%8 T+e OSJ *urt+er nssts t+at,

*rom among t+e sad essental elements, t+ere s no 3art0ular manner

3res0r!ed n +0+ t+e 3erson +o made and ssued t+e ds+onored 0+e0>s

s+ould !e not*ed o* t+e *a0t o* ds+onor8

)e t+at as t ma", t+e OSJ avers t+at as *ar as t+e 0+e0>s su!9e0t o*

t+e 0+arges o* volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %% n t+ese 0rmnal 0ases are

0on0erned, 0o-3ettoner )aslo Am!to +ad !een more t+an su**0entl"

not*ed o* t+e *a0t o* ds+onor !e0ause on De0em!er %


15/26

3ettoner )aslo Am!to *aled to 3a" t+e value o* t+e 0+e0>s des3te

+avng !een not*ed o* t+er ds+onor8 %#1%#2

As to 3ettoners 0ontenton t+at t+e 3rose0uton as not a!le to 3rove

t+e nds3ensa!le element t+at t+e draer +ad >noledge t+at t+e 0+e0>s

ere not !a0>ed u3 !" su**0ent *unds sn0e t+e 0+e0>s su!9e0t o* Crmnal

Case Nos8 #.//7, #.//= and #.//< ere 3resented *or 3a"ment more t+an

nnet" 4'&5 da"s *rom date, t+e OSJ 0lams t+at t+e sad element +ad !een

0learl" esta!ls+ed !" t+e 3ettoners testmon" n t+e loer 0ourt +ere

3ettoners 0ontend t+at t+e su!9e0t 0+e0>s ere ssued onl" as mere

guarantee and, as su0+, ere not su33osed to !e de3osted as 3revousl"

agreed !" PSI and 3ettoners8%%1%%2 In an" 0ase, t+e OSJ argues t+at under

Se0ton % o* )8P8 )lg8 %%, t+e ma>ers >noledge o* t+e nsu**0en0" o*

*unds s legall" 3resumed *rom t+e ds+onor o* t+e 0+e0> *or nsu**0en0" o*

*unds8%$1%$2

A*ter 0are*ull" reveng t+e re0ords and t+e su!mssons o* t+e

3artes, e *nd t+at t+e 3rose0utons evden0e as nadeuate to 3rove 0o-

3ettoner )aslo Am!tos gult !e"ond reasona!le dou!t *or seven 4=5

0ounts o* volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %%8

T+e elements o* volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %% are: 4#5 ma>ng, drang,

and ssuan0e o* an" 0+e0> to a33l" on a00ount or *or value 4%5 >noledge

o* t+e ma>er, draer, or ssuer t+at at t+e tme o* ssue +e does not +ave

su**0ent *unds n or 0redt t+ t+e draee !an> *or t+e 3a"ment o* t+e

0+e0> n *ull u3on ts 3resentment and 4$5 su!seuent ds+onor o* t+e 0+e0>

!" t+e draee !an> *or nsu**0en0" o* *unds or 0redt, or ds+onor *or t+e

same reason +ad not t+e draer, t+out an" vald 0ause, ordered t+e !an> to

sto3 3a"ment8

%.1%.2

21

22

23

24


16/26

T+e gravamen o* t+e o**ense 3uns+ed !" )8P8 )lg8 %% s t+e a0t o*

ma>ng or ssung a ort+less 0+e0> or a 0+e0> t+at s ds+onored u3on ts

3resentaton *or 3a"ment8 It s not t+e non3a"ment o* an o!lgaton +0+

t+e la 3uns+es8 T+e la s not ntended or desgned to 0oer0e a de!tor to

3a" +s de!t8 T+e t+rust o* t+e la s to 3ro+!t, under 3an o* 3enal

san0tons, t+e ma>ng o* ort+less 0+e0>s and 3uttng t+em n 0r0ulaton8

)e0ause o* ts deleterous e**e0ts on t+e 3u!l0 nterest, t+e 3ra0t0e s

3ros0r!ed !" t+e la8 T+e la 3uns+es t+e a0t not as an o**ense aganst

3ro3ert", !ut an o**ense aganst 3u!l0 order8%/1%/2 T+us, t+e mere a0t o*

ssung a ort+less 0+e0> +et+er as a de3ost, as a guarantee or even as

evden0e o* 3re-e(stng de!t s malum prohibitum8%71%72

In lg+t o* t+e *oregong, 3ettoners 0ontenton n t+e loer 0ourt t+at

t+e su!9e0t 0+e0>s ere onl" ssued as mere guarantee and ere not ntended

*or de3ost as 3er agreement t+ PSI s not tena!le8 Co-3ettoner )aslo

Am!to ould !e la!le under )8P8 )lg8 %% !" t+e mere *a0t t+at +e ssued

t+e su!9e0t 0+e0>s, 3rovded t+at t+e ot+er elements o* t+e 0rme are 3ro3erl"

3roved8

Ft+ regard to t+e se0ond element, e note t+at t+e la 3rovdes *or a

prima faie rule o* evden0e8 A ds3uta!le 3resum3ton o* >noledge o*

nsu**0en0" o* *unds n or 0redt t+ t+e !an> s assumed *rom t+e a0t o*

ma>ng, drang, and ssung a 0+e0>, 3a"ment o* +0+ s re*used !" t+e

draee !an> *or nsu**0en0" o* *unds +en 3resented t+n '& da"s *rom

t+e date o* ssue8 oever, su0+ 3resum3ton does not arse +en t+e ma>er

or draer 3a"s or ma>es arrangements *or t+e 3a"ment o* t+e 0+e0> !ithin

five ban"in# $a%s after reeivin# notie t+at su0+ 0+e0> +ad !een

ds+onored8 In order *or t+e ma>er or draer to 3a" t+e value t+ereo* or

ma>e arrangements *or ts 3a"ment t+n t+e 3erod 3res0r!ed !" la, t st+ere*ore ne0essar" and nds3ensa!le *or t+e ma>er or draer to !e not*ed

o* t+e ds+onor o* t+e 0+e0>8

25

26


17/26

Under )8P8 )lg8 %%, t+e 3rose0uton must 3rove not onl" t+at t+e

a00used ssued a 0+e0> t+at as su!seuentl" ds+onored8 It must also

esta!ls+ t+at t+e a00used as a0tuall" not*ed t+at t+e 0+e0> as

ds+onored, and t+at +e or s+e *aled, t+n *ve 4/5 !an>ng da"s *rom

re0e3t o* t+e not0e, to 3a" t+e +older o* t+e 0+e0> t+e amount due t+ereon

or to ma>e arrangement *or ts 3a"ment8 A!sent 3roo* t+at t+e a00used

re0eved su0+ not0e, a 3rose0uton *or volaton o* t+e )oun0ng C+e0>s

La 0annot 3ros3er8%=1%=2

T+e a!sen0e o* a not0e o* ds+onor ne0essarl" de3rves an a00used

an o33ortunt" to 3re0lude a 0rmnal 3rose0uton8 A00ordngl", 3ro0edural

due 3ro0ess 0learl" en9ons t+at a not0e o* ds+onor !e a0tuall" sent to and

re0eved !" t+e a00used8 T+e a00used +as a rg+t to demand and t+e !as0

3ostulates o* *arness reure t+at t+e not0e o* ds+onor !e a0tuall" sent to

and re0eved !" t+e same to a**ord +mM+er t+e o33ortunt" to avert

3rose0uton under )8P8 )lg8 %%8%ese, res3ondent CA merel" 0ted, n ts assaled De0son, 0o-

3ettoner )aslo Am!tos @ul" #=, #'


18/26

0on0ludng t+at +e as 3ro3erl" n*ormed o* t+e ds+onor o* t+e su!9e0t

0+e0>s, v;:

A33ellant )aslos 0lam t+at +e as never not*ed o* t+eds+onor o* t+e 0+e0>s +e ssued n 3artal 3a"ments o* t+e 3ur0+ases

?a;ette Enter3rses made *rom PSI s !eled !" +s on admsson made

+en +e test*ed n t+e Court a uo t+us:

( ( (

K Ins3te o* "ou agreement t+e" de3osted and +en3resented t+e" !oun0e

A T+at as n t+e re0e3ts8

K So "ou admt "ou +ave 3resented t+ese 0+e0>salread" mar>ed as E(+!t A *or t+e 3rose0uton

*or 0rmnal 0ases Nos8 #.//7 to #./7%, n0lusve,ere all returned *or nsu**0en0" o* *unds !" t+e

de3ostor" !an>A Bes, sr8 4t8s8n8, Am!to, 3age $/, @ul" #=, #'


19/26

a0t to !e 3uns+ed t+ereunder not onl" t+at t+e a00used ssued a 0+e0> t+at s

ds+onored, !ut t+at l>ese t+e a00used +as a0tuall" !een not*ed n

rtng o* t+e *a0t o* ds+onor8 T+e 0onsstent rule s t+at 3enal statutes +ave

to !e 0onstrued str0tl" aganst t+e State and l!erall" n *avor o* t+e

a00used8$%1$%2

T+ere !eng no 3roo* t+at 0o-3ettoner )aslo Am!to as gven an"

rtten not0e et+er !" PSI or !" 6anla )an> n*ormng +m o* t+e *a0t

t+at +s 0+e0>s ere ds+onored and gvng +m *ve 4/5 !an>ng da"s t+n

+0+ to ma>e arrangements *or 3a"ment o* t+e sad 0+e0>s, t+e re!utta!le

3resum3ton t+at +e +ad >noledge o* t+e nsu**0en0" o* +s *unds +as no

a33l0aton n t+e 3resent 0ase8

Due to t+e *alure o* 3rose0uton n t+s 0ase to 3rove t+at 0o-

3ettoner )aslo Am!to as gven t+e reuste not0e o* ds+onor and t+e

o33ortunt" to ma>e arrangements *or 3a"ment as 3rovded *or under t+e

la, Fe 0annot t+ moral 0ertant" 0onv0t +m o* volaton o* )8P8 )lg8 %%8

oever, )aslo Am!tos a0uttal *or +s volatons o* )8P8 )lg8 %%

*or *alure o* t+e 3rose0uton to 3rove all elements o* t+e o**ense !e"ond

reasona!le dou!t dd not ental t+e e(tngus+ment o* +s 0vl la!lt" *or

t+e ds+onored 0+e0>s8 In a num!er o* smlar 0ases, $$1$$2e +ave +eld t+at

an a0uttal !ased on reasona!le dou!t does not 3re0lude t+e aard o* 0vl

damages8 T+e 9udgment o* a0uttal e(tngus+es t+e la!lt" o* t+e a00used

*or damages onl" +en t n0ludes a de0laraton t+at t+e *a0ts *rom +0+ t+e

0vl la!lt" mg+t arse dd not e(st8 T+us, n t+e 0ase at !ar, t+e tral

0ourts dre0tve *or )aslo Am!to to ndemn*" PSI t+e total sum o*

P#=$,.


20/26

Anent t+e ueston o* +et+er or not 3ettoner s3ouses L!erata and

)aslo Am!tos 0onv0ton *or t+e o**ense o* Esta*a t+roug+ als*0aton o*

Commer0al Do0ument as 3roven !e"ond reasona!le dou!t, t+e 3ettoners

nter3osed t+e de*ense t+at t+e" 0annot !e 3ro3erl" 0onv0ted o* t+e same as

t+ere as no *ndng o* *alse narraton o* *a0ts and o* de0et8

Pettoners assert t+at PSI as not de0eved !" t+e ssuan0e o* t+e

su!9e0t 0redt 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost 4CCTDs5, +0+ dd not 0ontan a

*alse narraton o* *a0ts, *or t+e reasons t+at: 45 sad CCTDs, +0+ ere

undated as to t+er res3e0tve dates o* ssuan0e, dd not state t+at *unds +ad

alread" !een de3osted !" PSI 45 durng t+e 0ourse o* t+er alleged

*ourteen-"ear long !usness relatons+3, PSI, +0+ +ad !een a00e3tng sad

CCTDs, >ne t+at t+e" ere un*unded as sad 0ert*0ates o* tme de3ost

ere ssued to serve as 3romssor" notes to guarantee 3a"ment *or t+e

!alan0e o* t+e nvo0e 3r0e o* t+e ma0+neres$.1$.245 3ettoners dd not

re3resent to PSI t+at t+e mone" as alread" de3osted !e0ause t+e su!9e0t

CCTDs ere even 3ostdated$/1$/2 4v5 t+e amounts stated n t+e CCTDs

ere not don3a"ments !ut CREDIT e(tended to 3ettoner )aslo

Am!to 3a"a!le s( mont+s a*ter t+e salesM3ur0+ases ere made $71$72 4v5

3ettoners o!lgaton s 0vl n nature !e0ause 0urrent and savngs de3osts

0onsttute loans to a !an> and, t+us, a CCTD s an evden0e o* a sm3le

loan$=1$=24v5 t+e essental element o* *raud as a!sent !e0ause PSI >ne

t+at t+e CCTDs ssued to t !" 3ettoners ere not 0overed !" *unds

!e0ause t >ne t+at t+e de3osts ere "et to !e made +en t+e *armers, to

+om )aslo Am!to resold on 0redt t+e ma0+neres, s+all +ave de3osted

n t+e rural !an>s t+er 3a"ments *or t+ose ma0+neres$


21/26

sgn*"ng a 3romse to 3a" at a *uture date$'1$'24v5 PSI as not de*rauded

as t gave ds0ounts n ts sales nvo0es * 3ettoners 3ad n *ull t+e value o*

t+e 0ert*0ates on or !e*ore #


22/26

t+e *alse 3retense, *raudulent a0t or *raudulent means8 4d5 T+at as a result

t+ereo*, t+e o**ended 3art" su**ered damage8..1..2

In t+e 3rose0uton *or Esta*a under Art0le $#/, 3aragra3+ %4a5 o* t+e

RPC,./1./2t s nds3ensa!le t+at t+e element o* de0et, 0onsstng n t+e *alse

statement or *raudulent re3resentaton o* t+e a00used, !e made 3ror to, or at

least smultaneousl" t+, t+e delver" o* t+e t+ng !" t+e 0om3lanant8

T+e *alse 3retense or *raudulent a0t must !e 0ommtted 3ror to or

smultaneousl" t+ t+e 0ommsson o* t+e *raud, t !eng essental t+at su0+

*alse statement or re3resentaton 0onsttutes t+e ver" 0ause or t+e onl"

motve +0+ ndu0es t+e o**ended 3art" to 3art t+ +s mone"8 In t+e

a!sen0e o* su0+ reuste, an" su!seuent a0t o* t+e a00used, +oever

*raudulent and sus30ous t mg+t a33ear, 0annot serve as !ass *or

3rose0uton *or esta*a under t+e sad 3rovson8.71.72

In t+e 0ase at !ar, t+e re0ords ould s+o t+at PSI as gven

assuran0e !" 3ettoners t+at t+e" ll 3a" t+e un3ad !alan0e o* t+er

3ur0+ases *rom PSI +en t+e CCTDs t+ 3ettoners !an>s, t+e Rural

)an> o* )anate, In08 4R))I5 andMor t+e Rural )an> o* Leon, In08 4R)LI5,

and ssued under t+e name o* PSI, ould !e 3resented *or 3a"ment to R))I

and R)LI +0+, n turn, ll 3a" t+e amount o* de3ost stated t+ereon8 T+e

amounts stated n t+e CCTDs 0orres3ond to t+e 3ur0+ase 0ost o* t+e

ma0+neres and eu3ment t+at 0o-3ettoner )aslo Am!to !oug+t *rom

PSI as evden0ed !" t+e Sales Invo0es 3resented durng t+e tral8 It s

un0ontroverted t+at PSI dd not a33l" *or and se0ure loans *rom R))I and

R)LI8 In *ne, PSI and 0o-3ettoner )aslo Am!to ere engaged n a

vendor-3ur0+aser !usness relatons+3 +le PSI and R))IMR)LI ere

0onne0ted as de3ostor-de3ostor"8 It s l>ese esta!ls+ed t+at 3ettonersem3lo"ed de0et +en t+e" ere a!le to 3ersuade PSI to allo t+em to 3a"

44

45

46


23/26

t+e a*orementoned ma0+neres and eu3ment t+roug+ don 3a"ments

3ad et+er n 0as+ or n t+e *orm o* 0+e0>s or t+roug+ t+e CCTDs t+

R))I and R)LI ssued n PSIs name t+ nterest t+ereon8 It as later

*ound out t+at 3ettoners never made an" de3osts n t+e sad )an>s under

t+e name o* PSI8 In *a0t, t+e ssuan0e o* CCTDs to PSI as not re0orded n

t+e !oo>s o* R))I and R)LI and t+e De3ut" Ludator a33onted !" t+e

Central )an> o* t+e P+l33nes even 0orro!orated t+s *ndng o* anomalous

!an> transa0tons n +er testmon" durng t+e tral8.=1.=2

As !orne !" t+e re0ords and t+e 3leadngs, t s ndu!ta!le t+at

3ettoners re3resentatons ere outrg+t dstortons o* t+e trut+ 3er3etrated

!" t+em *or t+e sole 3ur3ose o* ndu0ng PSI to sell and delver to 0o-

3ettoner )aslo Am!to ma0+neres and eu3ments8 Pettoners >ne

t+at no de3osts ere ever made t+ R))I and R)LI under t+e name o*

PSI, as re3resented !" t+e su!9e0t CCTDs, sn0e t+e" dd not ntend to

de3ost an" amount to 3a" *or t+e ma0+neres8 PSI as an nno0ent v0tm

o* de0et, ma0+natons and 0+0aner" 0ommtted !" 3ettoners +0+

resulted n ts 3e0unar" damage and, t+us, 0on*rmng t+e loer 0ourts

*ndng t+at 3ettoners are gult" o* t+e 0om3le( 0rme o* Esta*a t+roug+

als*0aton o* Commer0al Do0uments8

T+e 3ronoun0ement !" t+e a33eals 0ourt t+at a 0om3le( 0rme +ad

!een 0ommtted !" 3ettoners s 3ro3er !e0ause, +enever a 3erson 0arres

out on a 3u!l0, o**0al or 0ommer0al do0ument an" o* t+e a0ts o*

*als*0aton enumerated n Art0le #=# o* t+e RPC.


24/26

0om3le( 0rme +en 4#5 to or more 0rmes are 0ommtted, !ut not !" a

sngle a0t or 4%5 0ommttng one 0rme s not a ne0essar" means *or

0ommttng t+e ot+er 4or ot+ers58/&1/&2

T+e *als*0aton o* a 3u!l0, o**0al, or 0ommer0al do0ument ma" !e

a means o* 0ommttng Esta*a, !e0ause !e*ore t+e *als*ed do0ument s

a0tuall" utl;ed to de*raud anot+er, t+e 0rme o* als*0aton +as alread"

!een 0onsummated, damage or ntent to 0ause damage not !eng an element

o* t+e 0rme o* *als*0aton o* 3u!l0, o**0al or 0ommer0al do0ument8 In

ot+er ords, t+e 0rme o* *als*0aton +as alread" e(sted8 A0tuall" utl;ng

t+at *als*ed 3u!l0, o**0al or 0ommer0al do0ument to de*raud anot+er s

esta*a8 )ut t+e damage s 0aused !" t+e 0ommsson o* Esta*a, not !" t+e

*als*0aton o* t+e do0ument8 T+ere*ore, t+e *als*0aton o* t+e 3u!l0,

o**0al or 0ommer0al do0ument s onl" a ne0essar" means to 0ommt t+e

esta*a8/#1/#2

In t+e 0ase !e*ore us, t+e ssuan0e !" 3ettoners o* CCTDs +0+

re*le0ted amounts t+at ere never de3osted as su0+ n et+er R))I or R)LI

s als*0aton under Art0les #=#/%1/%2 and #=%/$1/$2 o* t+e RPC8 T+e

3art0ular 0rmnal underta>ng 0onssted o* 3ettoners, ta>ng advantage o*

t+er 3oston as oners o* R))I and R)LI, ma>ng untrut+*ul

statementsMre3resentatons t+ regard to t+e e(sten0e o* tme de3osts n

*avor o* PSI !" ssung t+e su!9e0t CCTDs t+out 3uttng u3 t+e0orres3ondng de3osts n sad !an>s8

Under Art0le #=#, 3aragra3+ . o* t+e RPC,/.1/.2 t+e elements o*

*als*0aton o* 3u!l0 do0uments t+roug+ an untrut+*ul narraton o* *a0ts are:

4#5 t+e o**ender ma>es n a do0ument untrut+*ul statements n a narraton o*

*a0ts 4%5 t+e o**ender +as a legal o!lgaton to ds0lose t+e trut+ o* t+e *a0ts

50

51

52

53

54


25/26

narrated 4$5 t+e *a0ts narrated !" t+e o**ender are a!solutel" *alse and 4.5

t+e 3erverson o* trut+ n t+e narraton o* *a0ts as made t+ t+e rong*ul

ntent to n9ure a t+rd 3erson8//1//2

As earler ds0ussed, t+e ssuan0e o* t+e *als*ed CCTDs *or t+e sole

3ur3ose o* o!tanng or 3ur0+asng varous ma0+ner" and eu3ment *rom

PSI amounts to t+e 0rmnal o**ense o* Esta*a under Art0le $#/ 4%5 4a5 o* t+e

RPC8/71/72 T+e 3ettoners *als*ed t+e su!9e0t CCTDs, +0+ are

0ommer0al do0uments, to de*raud PSI8 Sn0e t+e *als*0aton o* t+e

CCTDs as t+e ne0essar" means *or t+e 0ommsson o* Esta*a, t+e assaled

9udgment o* t+e a33eals 0ourt 0onv0tng 3ettoners o* t+e 0om3le( 0rme o*

Esta*a t+roug+ als*0aton o* Commer0al Do0uments s 0orre0t8

Kute a3art *rom t+e 3rose0utons su00ess*ul ds0+arge o* ts !urden

o* 3roo*, e *nd t+at t+e a00used *aled to ds0+arge t+er !urden to 3rove

t+er de*ense8 To !egn t+, t+ere a33ears to !e no 3roo* on re0ord o* t+e

alleged #.-"ear *nan0al arrangement !eteen a00used and PSI or t+e

3ur3orted 0onsgnment onl" agreement !eteen t+em ot+er t+an t+e

un0orro!orated and sel*-servng testmon" o* t+e a00used8 6oreover, e

u3+old t+e *ndngs o* t+e CA and t+e 0ourt a uo as to t+e 3ro3er

0+ara0ter;aton o* t+e CCTDs and t+e la0> o* 0red!le, nde3endent

evden0e o* t+e alleged 3a"ment o* t+e a00useds o!lgatons to PSI8

nall", t+ res3e0t to 0o-3ettoner Crsanto Am!to, e *nd no

reason to dstur! t+e tral 0ourts rulng t+at +e s la!le *or onl" t+e 0rme o*

als*0aton o* Commer0al Do0uments n 0onne0ton t+ CCTD Nos8 &$'

and &.& o* R)LI, t+ere !eng no s+ong t+at t+e sad CCTDs ere used to

3ur0+ase *arm m3lements *rom PSI8/=1/=2

55

56

57


26/26

(HEREFORE, t+e Petton s PARTLB JRANTED8 T+e assaled

De0son dated 6ar0+ %', #''7 o* t+e Court o* A33eals a**rmng t+at o* t+e

Regonal Tral Court s AIR6ED t+ res3e0t to 3ettoner s3ouses

)aslo and L!erata Am!tos 0onv0ton *or Esta*a t+roug+ als*0aton o*

Commer0al Do0uments 4n Crmnal Case Nos8 #./7$ to #./

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BP22 (pdl) ambito vs. people (SC)

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