RIGHT OF THE ACCUSED

Corpuz vs People
1991
Facts:
An information was filed against Generoso Corpuz, the supervising accounting clerk
in the provincial treasurer of nueva ecija for malversation of the deficiency
amounting P50,000. Corpuz avers that he is not guilty of the charge because the
shortage imputed to him was malversed by the other person.
RTC found him guilty of Malversation. Hence present petition and Corpuz invoke
equipoise rule.
Issue:
Whether or not equipoise rule is applicable in the present case?
Held:
The equipoise rule invoked by the petitioner is applicable only where the evidence
of the parties is evenly balanced, in which the case constitutional presumption of
innocence should tilt the scales in favor of the accused.
There is no equipoise here. The evidence of the prosecution is overwhelming and
has not been overcome by the petitioner with his nebulous claim of prosecution and
conspiracy.
The presumed innocence of the accused must yield to positive finding that he
malversed the sum of P50,000 to the prejudice of the public whose confidence he
has breached. His conviction must be affirmed.