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CIRCULAR NO. 17 - 95

TO : THE COURT OF APPEALS, SANDIGANBAYAN, COURT OF TAXAPPEALS, REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, SHARI'A DISTRICT COURTS,

METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN

CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIALCOURTS, SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

SUBJECT : A. M. NO. MTJ-9-!7"

AUGUSTUS L. MOMONGAN, C#$%&())* vs. JUDGE RAFAEL B.OMIPON, +* MCTC: H())))-S(, S#*/0) L/*/, R/2%#)3/)*

4#*/3 /0/)3/0 #0 */ ()#0$*(#) )3 (3)6/ # && 6#)6/0)/3, (2 */ %/0*()/)* %#0*(#) #

*/ 3/6(2(#) # */ T(03 D((2(#) () A. M. N#. MTJ-9-!7" 8AUGUSTUS L. MOMONGAN,

P/*(*(#)/0 /022 JUDGE RAFAEL B. OMIPON, R/2%#)3/)*, 3*/3 M06 1", 1995, *# (*:

;A. M. N#. MTJ-9-!7", 8AUGUSTUS L. MOMONGAN, P/*(*(#)/0 /022 JUDGE RAFAELB. OMIPON, R/2%#)3/)*

;

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C#3/, (6 (2 ) 33(*(#)& %/)&* ($%#2/3 () */ //)* # 6#)(6*(#). D/2%(*/ */ #03/0 #

0/&/2/, */ *06@ 6) =/ 2/(?/3 () /(*/0 = (&() $#*(#) #0 0/()/2*(*(#) )3 $#*(#) *#

()6&3/ */ *06@ #)/030(/0 2 6#-662/3, (6 6#$%&())* 2 3#)/ 2 $)(/2*/3 =/#0/*/ /0-6#0* #0 = /)#06() A3$. O03/0 N#, 59. S/6*(#) 1 */0/# 6*/#0(6&& 2**/2 **

'*/ 6#)(26*(#) # */ 6#)/)6/ )3/0 */2/ 0/&*(#)2 2&& =/ (*#* %0/3(6/ *# )

60($()& 6*(#) (6 2&& =/ (&/3, ()2* */ #)/0 */0/# #0 ) %/02#) # 2/3 */6#)/)6/ () */ 6#$$(22(#) # */ #/)2/.'

;P/*(*(#)/0 (2 # */ #%()(#) ** )3/0 */ 6(06$2*)6/2, 0/2%#)3/)* J3/ 2#&3 /

*0)/3 #/0 */ *06@ *# */ C#$$)(* E)(0#)$/)* )3 N*0& R/2#06/2 O(6/ 8CENRO #

S) J), S#*/0) L/*/ #0 %%0#%0(*/ 3(2%#2(*(#). N# 3#=*, *(2 #&3 / 2($%&((/3$**/02 )3 %0//)*/3 */ %0/2/)* 2(**(#) 0#$ #6600() /0/() #)/ #/0)$/)* #(6(& (&/2

6#$%&()* ()2* )#*/0. U)3/0 S/6. " # A3$. O03/0 N#. 59, ( */ %%0//)2(#) (2 )#* $3/

= DENR (/&3 #(6/2, 3/%*(?/3 $(&(*0 %/02#))/& )3 #(6(&2 # #*/0 /)6(/2 %%0//)3()(&&/& )3 #*/0 #0/2* %0#36*2 )3 */(0 6#)/)6/2 2&& )#*( */ )/0/2* DENR (/&3

#(6/2 )3 *0) #/0 2(3 #0/2* %0#36*2 )3 6#)/)6/2 #0 %0#%/0 6*(#) )3 3(2%#2(*(#). A

%/0(#3 # =#* *# //@2 &%2/3, 0#$ */ *($/ */ 2/(?0/ 2 $3/ =/#0/ 6#$%&()* 2(&/3. D0() *(2 %/0(#3, */ %%0//)3() %#&(6/$/) 3 /)# *($/ *# *0) #/0 */ )3

*/ *06@ *# */ )/0/2* DENR (/&3 #(6/ #0 %0#%/0 6*(#) )3 3(2%#2(*(#) 2()6/ */ 3* *# *0)

#/0 */ *06@ *# */ )/0/2* DENR (/&3 #(6/ 0/2*2 #) */ #(6(&2 %%0//)3() */ (&&/&

. T/0/ =/() )# $)3*#0 3* #) */ %0* # 0/2%#)3/)* J3/ *# *0) #/0 */ *06@, /2#&3 )#* =/ (2(*/3 (* 3(26(%&()0 2)6*(#) /) / 3(3 )#* 0//0 */ 2$/ *# */ DENR

(/&3 #(6/ () S) J), S#*/0) L/*/.

M06 , 1995.

8S3. ERNANI CRUZ PANO

C#0* A3$()(2*0*#0

*/ 2/(?/3 6#)/)6/ 2 2/3 () */ 6#$$(22(#) # */ #/)2/ 2 6#)*/$%&*/3 () S/6*(#) /0/#, )3 2&& 0/)3/0 0/%#0* */0/#) (*() #)/ //@ 66#$%)(/3 = */ /(3/)6/ / 2

*/0/3 I)6&3() (2 0/6#$$/)3*(#)2 *# */ S/60/*0 #0 */ R/(#)& E5, 2

$/)3/3. F#0/(*/3 6#)/)6/2 $ =/ 2/3, * */ 3(260/*(#) # */ DENR, () */ #0/2*%0#*/6*(#) )3 3//%$/)* 6*((*(/2, #*/0(2/, */ 2$/ 2&& =/ 3(2%#2/3 # *0# %=&(6

6*(#) = */ S/60/*0 #0 */ R/(#)& O(6/, 2 */ 62/ $ =/, () 66#03)6/ (* /

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FIRST DIVISION

ERNESTO AQUINO, G.R. No. 165448

P/*(*(#)/0,

P0/2/)*:

PUNO, C.J., C(0%/02#),

CARPIO,

CORONA,

- /022 - LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, )3

BERSAMIN,JJ.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, P0#$&*/3:

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R/2%#)3/)*. Jul !", !##$

% & & & & & & & & & & & & && & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & %

D E C I S I O N

CARPIO,J.'

T() C*+)

B/#0/ */ C#0* (2 %/*(*(#) #0 0/(/11 22(&() */ 5 J)/ 1997

D/6(2(#) )3 " S/%*/$=/0 >>" R/2#&*(#) # */ C#0* # A%%/&2 () CA-

G.R. CR N#. 175".

11 U)3/0 R&/ "5 # */ 1997 R&/2 # C((& P0#6/30/.

Rollo, %%. 1+-1. P/))/3 = A22#6(*/ J2*(6/ E= G. /0?#& (* A22#6(*/ J2*(6/2M()/0 P. G#)?-R//2 )3 H(&0(#) L. A()#, 6#)600().

I3. * -5. P/))/3 = A22#6(*/ J2*(6/ E= G. /0?#& (* A22#6(*/ J2*(6/2 J#2/

L. S=(#, J0. )3 M#)() A0/-/)0#2, 6#)600().

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$()*()/3 )3 %0#*/6*/3 *# /)20//))6/ 0#* )3 3//%$/)* #

*/ %&)*/3 2//3&()2

". (#&*(#) # ) # */ 6#)3(*(#)2 2/* /0/# (2 %)(2=&/ )3/0 S/6*(#)+! # PD 7>5 2 $/)3/3 = E.O. N#. 77, S/0(/2 # 19!7 )3

5. T* )#)-6#$%&()6/ (* ) # */ =#/ 6#)3(*(#)2 #0 (#&*(#)2 #

#0/2*0 &2 )3 0/&*(#)2 2&& 0/)3/0 *(2 %/0$(* )&& )3 #(3 (*#*%0/3(6/ *# */ ($%#2(*(#) # %/)&*(/2 () 66#03)6/ (* /

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# */ *0//2 6* (*#* %/0$(* 2 1+.55 6=(6 $/*/02. T/ $0@/* &/ # */

*0//2 6* (*#* %/0$(* 2 P1!,""7.>, )3 */ #0/2* 60/2 /0/ P11,!.5.

A) I)#0$*(#) #0 (#&*(#) # S/6*(#) +! # P0/2(3/)*(& D/60// N#.

7>555 8PD 7>5 2 (&/3 ()2* %/*(*(#)/0, C*/), N6*=, M2(), )3

S)*(#, 2 #&:

T* #) #0 =#* */ 033 # J&, 199, )3 2=2//)* */0/*#, () */

C(* # B(#, P(&(%%()/2, )3 (*() */ 0(23(6*(#) # *(2 H#)#0=&/ C#0*,*/ =#/-)$/3 662/3, 6#)2%(0(), 6#)/3/0*() )3 $*&& (3() #)/)#*/0, )3 (*#* ) *#0(*, &(6/)2/ #0 %/0$(*, 3(3 */) )3 */0/ (&&&&,

)&&& )3 /)(#2& 6* )()/ 89 %()/ *0//2 (* *#*& #&$/ )3 $0@/*

%0(6/ 2 P1!,""7.> 8#&$/ 1+.55 M"" =3. *.M)3 )(* %0(6/ P+.>> =3.

*. )3 (* *#*& #0/2* 60/ # P11,!.5 #0 () *#*& 2$ #P19",!>."5 * T/6/02 C$%, B(# C(*, (*#* */ &/& 3#6$/)*2 2

0/(0/3 )3/0 /5, S/0(/2 # 19!9, () (#&*(#)

# */ #0/6(*/3 &.++

M2() &&//3 ** / 2 )#* 0/ # */ &($(**(#)2 #) */ %/0$(* 2 /

2 )#* (/) 6#% # */ %/0$(*. M2() 2**/3 ** / 6* 1> %()/ *0//2 )3/0

*/ 2%/0(2(#) # %/*(*(#)/0 # 6&($/3 *# =/ () %#22/22(#) # */ )/6/220

%/0$(*. H/ 2**/3 ** *0// # */ *0//2 /0/ 2*$%2 =#* #0 #0 (/ //* (

)3 /0/ )#* (* #0 &$=/0. H/ 2**/3 ** (&/ / 2 6**() *0//2, %/*(*(#)/0

)3 S&()2 /0/ %0/2/)*.

55 R/(2/3 F#0/2*0 C#3/.

++ Rollo, %. >.

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S)*(# */2*((/3 ** / 6* *0//2 )3/0 %/*(*(#)/0K2 2%/0(2(#). H/ 2**/3

** %/*(*(#)/0 2 () %#22/22(#) # */ %/0$(*. H/ 2**/3 ** / 6* 1> *0//2, 2(< #

(6 /0/ 6* ()*# &$=/0 (&/ *# /0/ 2*$%2 )3 *# /0/ 0#**/).

S&()2 */2*((/3 ** M2() )3 S)*(# /0/ $/0/& (0/3 2 2/02 )3

*/ $/0/& #&/3 %/*(*(#)/0K2 ()2*06*(#)2.

C*/) */2*((/3 ** / 2 %0* # */ */$ ** ()2%/6*/3 */ *0//2 *# =/ 6*

=/#0/ */ %/0$(* 2 (22/3. H/ 2**/3 ** */ *0//2 6* = S)*(# /0/ 6#/0/3

= */ %/0$(*.

N6*= */2*((/3 ** / #)& /)* *# T/6/02K C$% #) 1 J& 199 )3

/ 2 S)*(# )3 M2() 6**() 3#) */ *0//2 () %/*(*(#)/0K2 %0/2/)6/.

P/*(*(#)/0 &&//3 ** / 2 2/)* *# 2%/0(2/ */ 6**() # *0//2 *

T/6/02K C$%. H/ &&//3& ()#0$/3 (2 2%/0(#0, P& A%(&(2, ** / 2 )#*

0/ # */ *0//2 6#/0/3 = */ %/0$(*. H#//0, / 2*(&& 2%/0(2/3 */ 6**()

# *0//2 (*#* %0#60() 6#% # */ (6()(* $% 2/3 () */ ()2%/6*(#) # */

*0//2 *# =/ 6*. H/ 6&($/3 ** / 6#&3 )#* %0//)* */ #/06**() # *0//2

=/62/ / 2 2* )/ (&/ C*/) )3 S)*(# /0/ 66#$%)(/3 = *0//

#*/0 $/).

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T() D)0+0o o -() T20*l Cou2-

I) (*2 + M 199" D/6(2(#),77 */ R/(#)& T0(& C#0* # B(# C(*,

B0)6 5 8*0(& 6#0*, 0&/3 2 #&:

HEREFORE, */ C#0* ()32 )3 3/6&0/2 */ 662/3 ERNESTO A4UINO

ESTIPULAR, MICHAEL CUTENG LESCAO )3 BENEDICTO SANTIAGO

DOCLES (&* =/#)3 0/2#)=&/ 3#=* # */ 60($/ 60/3 )3 /0/=

2/)*/)6/2 EACH # */$ *# 2/0 ) ()3/*/0$()*/ %/)&* # SIX 8+ YEARS #

%0(2(#) 6#00/66(#)&, 2 $()($$, *# TENTY 8> YEARS # 0/6&2(#)*/$%#0&, 2 $

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T/ *0(& 6#0* 0&/3 ** */ *0//2 6* /

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T/ C#0* # A%%/&2 0&/3 ** 2 #0/2* 03 #0 0)/0 # */ CENRO,DENR, %/*(*(#)/0 3 */ 3* *# 2%/0(2/ */ 6**() # *0//2 )3 *# /)20/ **

*/ 2/02 6#$%&(/3 (* */ */0$2 # */ %/0$(* (6 #)& / %#22/22/3. T/

C#0* # A%%/&2 0&/3 ** (&/ (* 2 T/6/02K C$% (6 (0/3 */ 2/02,

%/*(*(#)/0 3 6#)*0#& #/0 */(0 6*2. T/ C#0* # A%%/&2 0//6*/3 %/*(*(#)/0K2

6&($ ** / 2 0/2*0()/3 0#$ *@() =#&3/0 6*(#) = (2 /0 # S)*(#

=/62/ %/*(*(#)/0 6#&3 / ()#0$/3 (2 2%/0(#02 =* / 3(3 )#* 3# 2#. T/

C#0* # A%%/&2 0*/0 0//6*/3 %/*(*(#)/0K2 6#)*/)*(#) ** */ & 6#)*/$%&*/3

6**() # *0//2 (*#* %/0$(*, (&/ () *(2 62/ */0/ 2 %/0$(* #0 6**()

3#) */ *0//2. T/ C#0* # A%%/&2 0&/3 ** */ *0//2 (6 /0/ 6* = */

2/02 /0/ )#* 6#/0/3 = */ %/0$(*.

T/ C#0* # A%%/&2 0&/3 ** 6#)2%(06 2 )#* 2(6(/)*& %0#/). A2

26, */ C#0* # A%%/&2 #)3 ** */ %0#2/6*(#) (&/3 *# %0#/ C*/)K2 (&*

=/#)3 0/2#)=&/ 3#=*. T/ C#0* # A%%/&2 &(@/(2/ 6(**/3 S)*(#

=/62/ / 2 #)& #&() #03/02 2 *# (6 *0//2 *# 6* )3 / 3(3 )#* /

6#% # */ %/0$(*.

P/*(*(#)/0 (&/3 $#*(#) #0 0/6#)2(3/0*(#). I) (*2 " S/%*/$=/0 >>"

R/2#&*(#), */ C#0* # A%%/&2 3/)(/3 */ $#*(#) #0 &6@ # $/0(*.

H/)6/, */ %/*(*(#) =/#0/ *(2 C#0*.

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T() I++u)

T/ #)& (22/ () *(2 62/ (2 /*/0 %/*(*(#)/0 (2 (&* =/#)3 0/2#)=&/

3#=* # (#&*(#) # S/6*(#) +! # PD 7>5.

T() Rul0 o -(0+ Cou2-

T/ %/*(*(#) 2 $/0(*.

T/ S#&(6(*#0 G/)/0& &&//2 ** */ %/*(*(#) 2#&3 =/ 3/)(/3 =/62/

%/*(*(#)/0 #)& 0(2/2 /2*(#)2 # 6*2 )3 )#* /2*(#)2 # &. / 3# )#* 0//.

A /2*(#) # & 0(2/2 /) */0/ (2 3#=* 2 *# * */ & (2 #)

6/0*() 2**/ # 6*2, (&/ */0/ (2 /2*(#) # 6* /) */ 3#=* 0(2/2 2 *#

*/ *0* #0 &2(* # */ &&//3 6*2.1>1> F#0 /2*(#)2 *# =/ #)/ # &, */

2$/ $2* )#* ()#&/ ) /1> Republic v. Heirs of Fabio, G.R. N#. 1595!9, D/6/$=/0 >>!.

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%0/2/)*/3 = */ &(*()*2.1111 T/ 0/2#&*(#) # */ (22/ $2* 0/2* 2#&/& #)

* */ & %0#(3/2 #) */ (/) 2/* # 6(06$2*)6/2.11

I) *(2 62/, %/*(*(#)/0 6&&/)/2 (2 6#)(6*(#) )3/0 S/6*(#) +! # PD 7>5.

S/6*(#) +! # PD 7>5 %0#(3/2:

S/6*(#) +!. Cutting, Gathering and/or Collecting Timber or Other Forest

roducts !ithout "icense.-A) %/02#) # 2&& 6*, */0, 6#&&/6*, 0/$#/

*($=/0 #0 #*/0 #0/2* %0#36*2 0#$ ) #0/2* &)3, #0 *($=/0 0#$ &(/)=&/ #03(2%#2=&/ %=&(6 &)3, #0 0#$ %0(*/ &)3, (*#* ) *#0(*, #0 %#22/22

*($=/0 #0 #*/0 #0/2* %0#36*2 (*#* */ &/& 3#6$/)*2 2 0/(0/3 )3/0

/9 )3 1> # */ R/(2/3 P/)& C#3/: P0#(3/3, ** () */ 62/# %0*)/02(%2, 22#6(*(#)2, #0 6#0%#0*(#)2, */ #(6/02 # #03/0/3 */ 6**(),

*/0(), 6#&&/6*(#) #0 %#22/22(#) 2&& =/ &(=&/, )3 ( 26 #(6/02 0/ &(/)2,

*/ 2&&, () 33(*(#) *# */ %/)&*, =/ 3/%#0*/3 (*#* 0*/0 %0#6//3()2 #)*/ %0* # */ C#$$(22(#) #) I$$(0*(#) )3 D/%#0**(#).

T/0/ 0/ *# 3(2*()6* )3 2/%0*/ #/)2/2 %)(2/3 )3/0 S/6*(#) +! #

PD 7>5, *# (*:

81C**(), */0(), 6#&&/6*() )3 0/$#() *($=/0 #0 #*/0 #0/2*

1111 I3.

11 I3.

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%0#36*2 0#$ ) #0/2* &)3, #0 *($=/0 0#$ &(/)=&/ #0

3(2%#2=&/ %=&(6 &)3, #0 0#$ %0(*/ &)3 (*#* )

*#0(* )3

8P#22/22(#) # *($=/0 #0 #*/0 #0/2* %0#36*2 (*#* */ &/&

3#6$/)*2 0/(0/3 )3/0 /5. H/ 2 )#* () %#22/22(#) # */ 6*

*0//2 =/62/ */ &$=/0 2 2/3 = T/6/02K C$% #0 0/%(02. P/*(*(#)/0 6#&3

)#* &(@/(2/ =/ 6#)(6*/3 # 6#)2%(06 *# 6#$$(* */ #/)2/ =/62/ && (2 6#-

662/3 /0/ 6(**/3 # */ 60/2 ()2* */$.

P/*(*(#)/0 $ / =//) 0/$(22 () (2 3*(/2 /) / (&/3 *# 0/2*0() */

2/02 0#$ 6**() *0//2 $#0/ *) * 2 6#/0/3 = */ %/0$(*. A2 */

C#0* # A%%/&2 0&/3, %/*(*(#)/0 6#&3 / ()#0$/3 (2 2%/0(#02 ( / 2

0/&& ()*($(3*/3 = S)*(#. I * &&, *(2 6#&3 #)& $@/ %/*(*(#)/0

3$()(2*0*(/& &(=&/ #0 (2 6*2. I* (2 )#* /)# *# 6#)(6* ($ )3/0 S/6*(#)

+! # PD 7>5.

11 Revaldo v. eople, G.R. N#. 17>5!9, 1+ A%0(& >>9.

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N/(*/0 6#&3 %/*(*(#)/0 =/ &(=&/ )3/0 */ &2* %00% # S/6*(#) +! #

PD 7>5 2 / (2 )#* ) #(6/0 # %0*)/02(%, 22#6(*(#), #0 6#0%#0*(#) #

#03/0/3 */ 6**(), */0(), #0 6#&&/6*(#), #0 (2 () %#22/22(#) # */ %()/ *0//2.

7HEREFORE, / GRANT */ %/*(*(#). / SET ASIDE */ 5 J)/

1997 D/6(2(#) )3 " S/%*/$=/0 >>" R/2#&*(#) # */ C#0* # A%%/&2 () CA-

G.R. CR N#. 175". P/*(*(#)/0 E0)/2*# A()# (2 ACQUITTED # */ 60/ #

(#&*(#) # S/6*(#) +! # P0/2(3/)*(& D/60// N#. 7>5. C#2*2 de officio.

SO ORDERED.

ANTONIO T. CARPIO

A22#6(*/ J2*(6/

7E CONCUR:

RENATO S. PUNO

C(/ J2*(6/

C(0%/02#)

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RENATO C. CORONA TERESITA J. LEONARDO&DE CASTRO

A22#6(*/ J2*(6/ A22#6(*/ J2*(6/

LUCAS P. 9ERSA:IN

A22#6(*/ J2*(6/

CERTIFICATION

P02)* *# S/6*(#) 1, A0*(6&/ III # */ C#)2*(**(#), I 6/0*( ** */

6#)6&2(#)2 () */ =#/ D/6(2(#) 3 =//) 0/6/3 () 6#)2&**(#) =/#0/ */ 62/

2 22()/3 *# */ 0(*/0 # */ #%()(#) # */ C#0*K2 D((2(#).

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RENATO S. PUNO

C(/ J2*(6/

R/%=&(6 # */ P(&(%%()/2

SUPRE:E COURT

M)(&

FIRST DIISION

G.R. No. 115507 May 19, 1998

ALEJANDRO TAN, ISMAEL RAMILO and FRED MORENO, petitioners,vs.THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES and THE CORT OF APPEALS, respondents.

PANGANI!AN, J.:

In denying this petition, the Court reiterates that the gathering, collection and/orpossession, without license, of lumber, which is considered timber or forest product, are

prohibited and penalized under the Forestry Reform Code, as amended.

The Case

In this petition for review on certiorariunder Rule 4 of the Rules of Court, petitionerssee! to set aside the "ecision 1 of the Court of #ppeals " in C#$%R &o. CR$'()'promulgated on *uly +, '--+, and its Resolution #promugated on #pril (), '--4. heassailed "ecision affirmed the udgment $ of the Regional rial Court of Romblon,

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0ranch )', 5which, in the complaint against petitioners for violation of 1ection 2), 3" 5Forestry Reform Code6 as amended, disposed as follows7

89:R:F;R:, this court finds7

a6 the accused #IR 546 ?:#R1 and 8; 5(6 =;&91, asma@imum, with the accessory penalties of the law, and to pay the costs.

he two 5(6 terms of imprisonment of each of the accused shall be served successivelyunder #rticle , R3C.

he preventive imprisonment which any of the accused may have suffered is credited inhis favor to its full e@tent.

he Court further orders the confiscation of the lumber described in the aforesaidInformations in favor of the government.

1; ;R":R:".

The Facts

;n ;ctober (2, '-)-, about 27+ p.m., in the town proper of Caidiocan, 1ibuyan Island,Romblon, Forest %uards *oseph 3anadero and :duardo Rabino intercepted a dumptruc! loaded with narraand white lauanlumber. he truc! was driven by 3etitioner Fred=oreno, an employee of # B : Construction. #gain, about )7 p.m. on ;ctober +,'-)-, this time in 0arangay Cambaao, Forest %uards 3anadero and Rabinoapprehended another dump truc! with 3late &o. ":$242 loaded with tanguilelumber.1aid truc! was driven by Crispin Cabudol, also an employee of # B : Construction. 0othmotor vehicles, as well as the construction firm, were owned by 3etitioner #leandroan. In both instances, no documents showing legal possession of the lumber were,upon demand, presented to the forest guardsD thus, the pieces of lumber were

confiscated.

;n =arch '2, '--, an and =oreno, together with Ismael Ramilo, careta!er and time!eeper of # B : Construction, were charged by First #ssistant 3rovincial 3rosecutorFeli@ R. Rocero with violation of 1ection 2), %3" &o. , as amended by :; &o. (,in an Information 7which reads7

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hat on or about the (2th day of ;ctober, '-)-, at around 27+ oEcloc! in the 3oblacion,municipality of Caidiocan, province of Romblon, 3hilippines, and within the urisdiction ofthis 9onorable Court, the said accused, conspiring, confederating and mutually helpingone another, with intent of gain and without the legal documents as reuired undere@isting forest laws and regulations, did then and there willfully, unlawfully and feloniouslyhave in their possession and under their custody and control '+ pieces narra lumberabout '' board feet and 4' pieces tanguile lumber about )+4 board feet valued at3),(4., 3hilippine currency, to the damage and preudice of the government in theaforestated amount.

In another Information, 8an and Ramilo, together with Crispin Cabudol, were alsocharged for the same violation in connection with the ;ctober +, '-)- incident.

;n #pril (2, '--, all the accused, assisted by counsel, were arraigned on the basis ofthe aforementioned InformationsD each pleaded not guilty. 9he cases were thence

ointly tried, pursuant to 1ection '4, Rule ''- of the Rules of Court. 10

"uring the trial, the defense did not contest the above factual circumstances e@cept to

deny that the forest guards demanded, on either of the two occasions, papers ordocuments showing legal possession of the lumber. #dditionally, 3risco =arin, whoclaimed to have been the officer$in$charge 5;IC6 of the 0ureau of Forest "evelopmentof 1ibuyan, testified that the seized pieces of lumber were bought by anEs Caidiocanrading, one of the licensed lumber dealers in the island, from =atzhou "evelopmentCorporation 5G=atzhouG6 which thus delivered to the former #u@iliary Invoice &o. 2+)11dated =arch '-, '-) issued by the 0ureau of Internal Revenue office in Romblon.

#ccording to =arin, the director of forestry had granted =atzhou a ree Recovery3ermit covering the entire island of 1ibuyan. 9e added that he had inspected thelumber in uestion in the compound of # B : Construction or Caidiocan rading, wherehe was shown the au@iliary invoice covering the subect. 1"

Ruling of the Trial Court

he trial court brushed aside the version of the defense and ruled that the confiscatedpieces of lumber which were admittedly owned by #ccused an were not legitimatedeliveries but aborted nocturnal hauling. It convicted all the accused as charged, fortheir failure to comply with the Forestry Reform Code, which reuires the following legaldocuments7 5'6 an au@iliary invoice, 5(6 a certificate of origin, 5+6 a sales invoice, 546scale/tally sheets and 56 a lumber dealer permit.

Ruling of Respondent Court of Appeals

;n appeal, the accused assigned to the trial court these ten errors7 5'6 holding themliable under 1ection 2) of :; (D 5(6 ruling that their possession of the lumber wereunauthorized or illegalD 5+6 retroactively applying :.;. (D 546 ruling that the accuseddid not have the necessary documents to ma!e their possession legalD 56 convictingthem despite the absence of the corpus delictiD 526 admitting in evidence the allegedseizure receipts or, assuming their admissibility, considering them as evidence ofcorpus delictiD 56 finding that the deliveries were aborted nocturnal haulingD 5)6

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convicting #leandro an on the ground of conspiracyD 5-6 ruling that the guilt of theaccused was proved beyond reasonable doubtD and 5'6 sustaining the constitutionalityof :; (. 1#

#s regards the first assigned error, the Court of #ppeals held petitionersE Gartful

distinction between timber and lumberG Gto be fallacious and utterly unmeritorious.G Itthereby upheld the solicitor generalEs manifestation that Gforest productsG include GwoodGwhich is defined by 8ebsterEs "ictionary as Gthe hard fibrous substance beneath thebac! of trees and shrubs.G Respondent Court succinctly ruled that to construe GsawnlumberG as not covered by Gsawn timberG would defeat the evident intent and purpose ofthe law, for Gwhat would prevent an illegal logger Hfrom bringing with him a portable sawand having the timber illegally cut/gathered Hand sawn right on the spot, thus gainingimmunity for himselfHJG 1$

#s to the ne@t three assigned errors which relied heavily on 3risco =arinEs testimony,Respondent Court dismissed the said witnessE account as Ganything but credible.G It

added that =arinEs testimony largely focused on a certification he made stating that, fiveyears ago, he inspected the same confiscated lumber which were to be used for therepair of school building by # B : Construction in 1ibuyan. 0ut during the cross$e@amination, he admitted that he made the inspection in "ecember '-)-. he appellatetribunal noted that, by then, he had already been relieved of his position as ;IC of the0ureau of Forest "evelopment in RomblonD hence, he had no business inspecting thelumberyard of 3etitioner an. In fact, he admitted that in "ecember '-)-, it wasRomulae %adaoni who was already the highest forest officer in the island. 15

#s to the fifth and si@th alleged errors, Respondent Court ruled that corpus delictidoesnot refer literally to the obect of the crime K in this case, the forest products possessed

without the reuired legal documents. he fact that the crimes charged wereperpetrated by the petitioners was credibly and amply proven by the detailedtestomonies of the prosecution witnesses, including the admission of "efense 8itnessIsmael Ramilo. he seizure receipts merely served to corroborate their testimonies. 1%

he seventh and ninth assigned errors were deemed answered in the foregoingdiscussions. #s to the eighth, no other than the admission of his careta!er or katiwala,Co$#ccused Ramilo, proved that an was involved in the conspiracy. Ramilo testifiedthat the deliveries of lumber on the subect dates 5;ctober (2 and +, '-)-6 were madepursuant to the instruction of anD and that the latter owned said lumber, the truc!s andthe construction firm. he two accused truc! drivers who were caught in flagrantedelictowere mere employees of an. 17

he last assigned error was set aside by Respondent Court as unnecessary. #bsolutelyof no concern to the petitioners, who were caught in possession of lumber without thereuired legal documents, was the alleged unconstitutionality of the inclusion ofGfirewood, bar!, honey, beeswa@, and even grass, shrub, Ethe associated waterE or fishGin :; (. here being other grounds to resolve the case, the constitutionality of saidphrase was not passed upon. 18

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In their motion for reconsideration, petitioners raised these additional grounds7 5'6 theForestry Reform Code and the laws and regulations of the "epartment of :nvironmentand &atural Resources 5":&R6 distinguish between timber and lumber and betweenlumber and other forest productsD 5(6 the Informations alleged and the facts proved thatlumber is not covered by the provision supposedly violatedD 5+6 udicial interpretation or

construction may not be resorted to in order to fill a gap or clear an ambiguity in penalstatutes and, assuming the propriety thereof, construction should be in favor of theaccusedD 546 lac! of documents for possession of lumber is not punishable under thelawD and 56 the perceived wea!ness in the testimony of "efense 8itness 3risco =arinshould not strengthen the case for the prosecution. In its #pril (), '--4 Resolution,Respondent Court found Gno cogent reason for the reversal or modificationG of its"ecision. 9ence, this petition. 19

The Issues

3etitioners now as! this Court to li!ewise pass upon their foregoing submissions. =any

of the errors raised, however, involve factual uestions, the review of which is not withinthe ambit of this CourtEs functions, particularly in this case where the findings of the trialcourt were affirmed by the appellate court and where petitioners failed to show anymisappreciation of the evidence presented. "08e shall therefore limit our review only touestions of law.

#ccordingly, we shall rule on the following legal issues7 5'6 the constitutionality of1ection 2) of :; (, 5(6 the treatment by the lower court of lumber as timber and/orforest product within the contemplation of 3" , as amended, and 5+6 the allegedretroactive application of :; (.

The Court's Ruling

he petition is not meritorious.

3reliminary Issue7

Constitutionality of Sec. !" #.$. %&&

he impugned legal provision reads7

1ec. 2). Cutting, %athering and/or Collecting imber, or other Forest 3roducts 8ithout

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he Court shall further order the confiscation in favor of the government of the timber orany forest products cut, gathered, collected, removed, or possessed, as well as themachinery, euipment, implements and tools illegally used in the area where the timberor forest products are found.

3etitioners aver that the above provision is violative of substantive due process,

because it reuires the possession of certain legal documents to ustify GmerepossessionG of forest products which, under 1ection +56 of 3" , includes, amongothers, Gfirewood, bar!, honey, beeswa@, and even grass, shrub, flowering plant, Etheassociated waterE or fishG and penalizes failure to present such reuired documents.

;ne of the essential reuisites for a successful udicial inuiry into the constitutionalityof a law is the e@istence of an actual case or controversy involving a conflict of legalrights susceptible of udicial determination. "1#s Respondent Court of #ppeals correctlypointed out, petitioners were not Gcharged with the Hunlawful possession of firewood,bar!, honey, beeswa@, and even grass, shrub, Ethe associated waterE or fishGD thus, theinclusion of any of these enumerated items in :; ( Gis absolutely of no concernG to

petitioners. hey are not asserting a legal right for which they are entitled to a udicialdetermination at this time. 0esides, they did not present any convincing evidence of aclear and uneuivocal breach of the Constitution that would ustify the nullification ofsaid provision. ""# statute is always presumed to be constitutional, and one who attac!sit on the ground of unconstitutionality must convincingly prove its invalidity. "#

)ain Issue* +nder , &- and #$ %&&"

Is /umber Considered Timber or Forest roduct0

3etitioners contend that possession of manufactured lumber is not punishable under the

Forestry Reform Code, as amended. #s e@plicitly provided in 1ection 2) of both 3" and :; ( 5the law that amended the former6, only the cutting, gathering, collectingand/or possession, without license, of timber and other forest products are prohibited.

#s e@pressly defined under 1ection +56 of 3" , lumber is not timber or a forestproduct. It is only in 1ection - of the same law where the sale of lumber, withoutcompliance with established grading rules and standards, is prohibited. 3etitionerssubmit that the forest laws and regulations sufficiently differentiate between timber andlumberD therefore, court should not construe lumber as timber.

he uestion of whether lumber is e@cluded from the coverage of 1ection 2) of 3" ,as amended, has been settled in )ustang /umber" Inc.(s.Court of Appeals, "$in which

this Court e@pressly ruled that Glumber is included in the term timber.G"5

8e uote atlength the CourtEs discussion7

he Revised Forestry Code contains no definition of either timber of lumber. 8hile theformer is included in forest products as defined in paragraph 56 of 1ection +, the latter isfound in paragraph 5aa6 of the same section in the definition of G3rocessing plant,G whichreads7

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5aa6 3rocessing plant is any mechanical set$up, machine or combinationof machine used for the processing of logs and other forest raw materialsinto lumber, veneer, plywood, wallboard, blac!board, paper board, pulp,paper or other finished wood products.

his simply means that lumber is a processed log or processed forest raw material.

Clearly, the Code uses the term lumber in its ordinary or common usage. In the '--+copyright edition of 8ebsterEs hird &ew International "ictionary, lumber is defined, interalia, as Gtimber or logs after being prepared for the mar!et.G 1imply put, lumber is aprocessed log or timber.

It is settled that in the absence of legislative intent to the contrary, words and phrasesused in a statute should be given their plain, ordinary, and common usage meaning. #ndinsofar as possession of timber without the reuired legal documents is concerned,1ection 2) of 3.". &o. , as amended, ma!es no distinction between raw or processedtimber. &either do we. +bi le1 non distinguit nec nos distinguire debemus. "%

)ustangwas recently reiterated in /alican (s.2ergara, "7where we also said that GEHtoe@clude possession of ElumberE from the acts penalized in 1ec. 2) would certainly

emasculate the law itself. . . . #fter all, the phrase Eforest productE is broad enough toencompass lumber which, to reiterate, is manufactured timberG Indeed, to mentionlumber in the aforesaid section would simply result in tautology.

In addition, under #merican urisprudence, lumber has been legally accepted as a termreferring to the manufactured product of logs "8 or to timber sawed or split intomar!etable form, especially for use in buildings. "9

Consistent with )ustang, we find no error in the holding of both lower courts. Clearly,petitioners are liable for violation of 1ection 2) of the Forestry Reform Code, asamended.

Corollary Issue7

3o Retroacti(e Application of #$ %&&

3etitioners insist that :; ( is not applicable to them, because the seized lumber hadbeen lawfully possessed by Caidiocan rading since =arch '-), while the amendatorylaw was issued only on *uly (, '-), and too! effect fifteen days after publication. hisstrained reasoning deserves scant consideration. First, at no time during theapprehensions did petitioners claim that the lumber belonged to Caidiocan rading. Infact, 3etitioner Ramilo and the drivers openly claimed that the lumber and the truc!s

belonged to # B : Construction which was, in turn, owned by 3etitioner an. It was onlyduring the course of the trial, through the testimony of 3risco =arin 5characterized bythe appellate court as Ganything but credibleG6, that the alleged ownership thereof byCaidiocan rading was brought out. Second, the supposed sale of the subect lumberby =atzhou to Caidiocan rading, as evidenced by the au@iliary invoice, occurred in=arch '-), or more than two and a half years prior to the apprehension and seizurethat gave rise to this case. It is highly doubtful if the lumber bought at the earlier datewas the very same lumber confiscated in ;ctober '-)-. &o evidence was presented to

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overcome this veritable doubt. Thirdand most important, assuming that indeed theywere the very same lumber, forest laws and regulations also reuire the followingdocuments7 5'6 certificate of lumber origin, 5(6 sales invoice, 5+6 delivery receipt, 546 tallysheet, and 56 certificate of transport agreement. #0&one of these documents wereproffered in court or elsewhere. 3etitionersE unlawful possession of the subect lumber

occurred in ;ctober '-)-. :; (, which specifically included GpossessionG of timberand other forest products within the contemplation of 3" , had already been issuedand in effect more than two years previous thereto. &othing will prevent the indictmentof petitioners for violation of :; ( at the time they were caught by the forest guards inflagrante delicto. he prohibited act is a malum prohibitum, and absence of malice orcriminal intent will not save the day for them. #1

89:R:F;R:, the petition is ":&I:" for utter lac! of merit. he uestioned "ecisionof the Court of #ppeals is hereby #FFIR=:". Costs against petitioners.

1; ;R":R:".

,a(ide" 4r." 5ellosillo and 6uisumbing" 44." concur.

2itug" 4." I reiterate my separate opinion in )ustang /umber" Inc. (. CA

Foo&no&'(

' Rollo, pp. 4-$22.

( welfth "ivision composed of **. 1erafin L.C. %uingona,ponenteD #ntonio =. =artinez,chairman and now a member of this CourtD and :ubulo %. Lerzola, concurring.

+ Rollo, p. -).

4 Ibid., pp. 2$).

3reside by *udge 3lacido C. =aruez.

2 G1ec. 2). Cutting, %athering and/or Collecting imber, or other Forest 3roducts 8ithout

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"oc!eted as Crim. Case &o.'4D records for Crim. Case &o. '4, p. '.

) "oc!eted as Crim. Case &o. '42D records for Crim. Case &o. '42, p. '.

- Records for Crim. Case &o. '4, p. ', and for Crim. Case &o. '42, p. '4.

' RC "ecision, pp. ($+D rollo, pp. 2)$2-.

'' :@h. G'GD records for Crim. Case &o. '4, p. ''2.

'( RC decision, p. D rollop. +.

'+ #ssailed "ecision, p. D rollo, p. +.

'4 Ibid., p. 2D ibid., p. 4.

' #ssiled "ecision, pp. ),', '' B '+.

'2 Ibid., pp. '+$'4.

' Ibid., p. '.

') Ibid., pp. '2$'.

'- his case was deemed submitted for resolution on #pril (, '--) when the Courtnoted the letter dated "ecember '(, '-- of 1heriff &owell

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(- Ibid., p. 2+, citing#merican ie B imber Co. vs. ansas City 1outhern R. Co, e@as,' F. (), -- C.C.#. 44.

+ 3rimer on Illegal

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RENATO S. PUNO

C(/ J2*(6/

C(0%/02#)

ANTONIO T. CARPIO ADOLFO S. AZCUNA

A22#6(*/ J2*(6/ A22#6(*/ J2*(6/

DANTE O. TINGA

A22#6(*/ J2*(6/

C E R T I F I C A T I O N

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RENATO S. PUNO

C(/ J2*(6/

SECOND DIVISION

GALO MONGE, G.R. N#. 17>>!

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CARPIO,

(cting Chairperson,

- /022 - CARPIO MORALES,

ACUNA,

TINGA, )3

ELASCO, JR.,JJ.

PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,

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/

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7RULES OF COURT, R&/ 119, S/6. 1! 2**/2:

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DANTE O. TINGA

(ssociate Justice

E CONCUR:

ANTONIO T. CARPIO

(ssociate Justice

A6*() C(0%/02#)

CONCHITA CARPIO MORALES ADOLFO S. ACUNA

(ssociate Justice (ssociate Justice

PRESBITERO J. ELASCO, JR.

(ssociate Justice

ATTESTATION

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PERFECTO PALLADA, petitioner, vs. PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,respondent.S'd/

D E C I S I O N

MENDOA, J.

his is a petition for review of the decisionH' of the Court of #ppeals affirmingpetitionerEs conviction of illegal possession of lumber in violation of M2)2H( of theRevised Forestry CodeH+ 53.". &o. , as amended6 by the Regional rial Court,0ranch ), =alaybalay, 0u!idnon.

he facts are as follows7

1ometime in the latter part of '--(, the "epartment of :nvironment and &aturalResources 5":&R6 office in 0u!idnon received reports that illegally cut lumber was

being delivered to the warehouse of the Lalencia %olden 9arvest Corporation inLalencia, 0u!idnon. he company is engaged in rice milling and trading.

":&R officers, assisted by elements of the 3hilippine &ational 3olice, raided thecompanyEs warehouse in 3oblacion, Lalencia on the strength of a warrant issued by theRegional rial Court, 0ranch ), =alaybalay, 0u!idnon and found a large stoc!pile oflumber of varying sizes cut by a chain saw. #s proof that the company had acuired thelumber by purchase, petitioner produced two receipts issued by R. # */ R/(2/3 P/)& C#3/:rovided, T* () */ 62/ # %0*)/02(%2,

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0/ #)3. 8A2 $/)3/3 = PD N#.1559, )3 = EO N#. 77, %0#$, J& 5, 19!7, /$%2(2

33/3.

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he team made an inventory of the seized lumber which, all in all, constituted (- "(--.(board feet, worth 34)),++4.4 in total. he following day, 1eptember (-, '--(, the firstbatch of lumber, consisting of '2( pieces measuring ',-4.22 board feet, was ta!en andimpounded at the F;R: stoc!yard in 1umpong, =alaybalay, 0u!idnon. he seizureorder)H4was served on petitioner 3erfecto 3allada as general manager of the company,

but he refused to ac!nowledge it.

;n ;ctober ', '--(, the raiding team returned for the remaining lumber. Companypresident Francisco an!i!o and a certain Isaias Laldehueza, who represented himselfto be a lawyer, as!ed for a suspension of the operations to enable them to see! a liftingof the warrant. he motion was filed with the court which issued the warrant but, on;ctober , '--(, the motion was denied. -H#ccordingly, the remaining lumber wasconfiscated. 0y ;ctober -, '--(, all the lumber in the warehouse had been seized. #sbefore, however, petitioner 3allada refused to sign for the seizure orders issued by the":&R officers 5:@hs. :, F B %6.

;n February (+, '--+, petitioner, as general manager, together with &oel 1y, asassistant operations manager, and Francisco an!i!o, as president of the Lalencia%olden 9arvest Corporation, and Isaias Laldehueza, were charged with violation of M2)of 3." .&o. , as amended. he Information alleged72H2

hat on or about the 'st day of ;ctober, '--(, and prior thereto at theLalencia %olden 9arvest Corporation Compound, municipality of Lalencia,province of 0u!idnon, 3hilippines, and within the urisdiction of this9onorable Court, the above$named accused, conspiring, confederatingand mutually helping one another, with intent of gain, did then and therewillfully, unlawfully and criminally possess (,'' pieces Hof lumber of

different dimensions in the total volume of (-,(-- .( board feet oreuivalent to 2-.' cubic meters with an estimated value of F;>R9>&"R:" :I%9? :I%9 9;>1#&" 9R:: 9>&"R:" 9IR?F;>R 3:1;1 #&" 4/' 534)),++4.46 3hilippine Currency, withoutany authority, license or legal documents from the government, to thedamage and preudice of the government in the amount of 34)),++4.4.

Contrary to and in violation of 1ection 2), 3.". as amended by :.;.(.

#s all the accused pleaded not guilty, trial ensued. hen on *uly (, '--4, udgment

was rendered as follows7

2'H

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89:R:F;R:, udgment is hereby rendered finding accused 3erfecto3allada and Francisco an!i!o guilty beyond reasonable doubt of havingin their possession timber products worth of 34)),++4.4 without the legaldocuments as charged in the information in violation of 1ection 2) of3residential "ecree , as amended and are, therefore, each sentenced

to suffer imprisonment of :& 5'6 ?:#R1 of prision mayor as minimumto 8:&? 5(6 ?:#R1 of Reclusion temporal as ma@imum. he lumbersubect of the crime are confiscated in favor of the government.1ppedN o

#ccused Isaias Laldehueza and &oel 1y are #CO>I:" for lac! ofevidence against them.

3etitioner and Francisco an!i!o appealed to the Court of #ppeals, which, on ;ctober+', '--, affirmed petitionerEs conviction but acuitted an!i!o for lac! of proof of hisparticipation in the purchase or acuisition of the seized lumber. 2(H)

9ence this petition which raises the following issues72+

H-

I. 89:9:R ;R &; 9: 9;&;R#0R ;F #33:#39;=:& ; *>1IF? 3:II;&:RE1 3;11:11I;& ;F 9:

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Region of =uslim =indanao. a!en from the forest area of 8ahab and9.". 3angcoga

:@h. 2$# $ #u@iliary Invoice=iso

:@h. 2$0 $ Certificate of ransport #greement 5C#, for short6

:@h. 2$C$ ally 1heet, dated "ecember '4, '--(, for 42+ pieces oflumber euivalent to ,2.-4 board feet

:@h. 2$" $ "elivery Receipt, dated "ecember '2, '--', from 893:nterprises of =aguing,

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:@h. )$0 $ C#

:@h. )$C$ ally 1heet for the 2) pieces of lumber

:@h. )$" $ "elivery Receipt to %olden 9arvest Corporation issued

by 893 :nterprises,

:@h. )$: $ ;fficial Receipt for environmental fee

:@h. )$F $ Cash Loucher for 3-+,2'4. in payment for ),(4.--board feet of lumber issued by the Corporation payable to 893:nterprises

4. :@h. - $ C; for 4(2 pieces of logs 5J6 with an euivalent volume of'(.(4 cubic meters from licensee 1omira =. #mpuan of

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5C 8199+.

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In li!e manner, :@h. GG and :@h. G-G mention -2' and 4( pieces of log,respectively. 0ut the supporting documents describe the forest productHsas lumber.

he C; mar!ed :@h. GH)G reveals a half$truth7 it mentions 2) pieces of

hand$sawn lumber. Its #u@iliary Invoice also states the same load oflumber. 1omeone may have noticed the Gmista!eG of mentioning lumber inthe #u@iliary Invoice and so the words Gflitches ) piecesG were writtendown and enclosed in parenthesis.

he said e@hibits also appear to be uestionable, HthusH7

he C; mar!ed :@h. G2G is consigned to Gany buyer 5sic6 Cagayan de;roG, but its #u@iliary Invoice 5:@h. G2$#G6 mentions Lalencia %olden9arvest Corporation as the consignee. =oreover, the C; states 5at thebac! page6 that the same is covered by #u@iliary Invoice &o. 4-'D in

fact, the #u@iliary Invoice 5:@h. 2$#6 has invoice number 4)).

In the C; mar!ed :@hibit GG, the original typewritten name of theconsignee was clearly erased and changed to GLalencia %olden 9arvestCorporation, Lalencia, 0u!idnonG. In the #u@iliary Invoice 5:@h. G$#G6 theblan! space for the name and address of the consignee was smudgedwith a typewriter correction fluid 5the better to erase what was originallytypewritten in itJ6 and changed to GLalencia %olden 9arvest Corporation,Lalencia, 0u!idnonG.

he C; mar!ed :@h. G-G and its #u@iliary Invoice mar!ed :@h. G-$#G

Hwere GdoctoredG in the same manner as :@h. GHG and :@h. GH$#G.'

H'

#dditionally, all the #u@iliary Invoice were not properly accomplished7 thedata reuired to be filled are left in blan!. =ani!anN

Indeed, aside from the fact that the Certificate of imber ;rigin in :@h. bears no date,the dorsal side bears the certification that the logs were Gscaled on #ugust , '--',Gwhile the receipt attached to that Certificate is dated February 2, '--(. =oreover, thefour delivery receipts list the sizes and volume of the lumber sold, indicating that thecompany purchased cut lumber from the dealers, thus belying the testimony ofpetitioner that when the company bought the forest products, they were still in the form

of flitches and logs, and they were cut into lumber by the company.(H')

7117T/ #0(()& 6#)2()//'2 )$/, 2*(&& &/(=&/, 0/32: ;NORTHEST FOOD PROCESSING

CORPORATION, VVVVVV, TAGOLCAN, MIS. OR.;

71!TSN, %%. 1>, 1 , M06 1, 199".

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hese irregularities and discrepancies ma!e the documents in which they are found notonly uestionable but invalid and, thus, ustified the trial court in giving no credence tothe same.+H'-

It is argued that the irregularities in the documentary e@hibits should not be ta!en

against petitioner because the documents came from lumber dealers. In addition, it iscontended that the C;s and #u@iliary Receipts, being public documents, should beaccorded the presumption of regularity in their e@ecution. 4H(

his contention is untenable. 8hat render these documents without legal effect are thepatent irregularities found on their faces. hat petitioner may not have any responsibilityfor such irregularity is immaterial. In any case, as the corporate officer in charge of thepurchase of the lumber, petitioner should have noticed such obvious irregularities, andhe should have ta!en steps to have them corrected. 9e cannot now feign ignorance andassert that, as far as he is concerned, the documents are regular and complete. H('

he presence of such glaring irregularities negates the presumption that the C;s wereregularly e@ecuted by the ":&R officials concerned. he presumption invo!ed bypetitioner applies only when the public documents are, on their faces, regular andproperly accomplished.2H((

S'+ond. he penalty imposed should be modified. #rt. +- of the Revised 3enal Code,made applicable to the offense by 3.". &o. , M2), provides7

#R. +-. enalties.;#ny person guilty of theft shall be punished by7 ;ldmisPo

'. he penalty ofprision mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if the

value of the thing stolen is more than 3'(, pesos but does not e@ceed3((, pesosD but if the value of the thing stolen e@ceeds the latteramount, the penalty shall be the ma@imum period of the one prescribed inthis paragraph, and one year for each additional ten thousand pesos, butthe total of the penalty which may be imposed shall not e@ceed twentyyears. In such cases, and in connection with the accessory penaltieswhich may be imposed and for the purpose of the other provisions of this

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Code, the penalty shall be termedprision mayor or reclusion temporal" asthe case may be. . . .

#s the lumber involved in this case is worth 34)),++4.4, and applying theIndeterminate 1entence