Page 1 of 5 Falsification by Public Employee Republic of the Philippines SUPREME COURT Manila THIRD DIVISION

G.R. No. 82197 March 13, 1989

MANUEL L. SIQUIAN petitione ! "s# THE PEOPLE O THE PHILIPPINES, a!" THE COURT O APPEALS, espon$ents# Cortes & Reyna Law Firm for petitioner. The Solicitor General for respondents.

CORTES, J.: The info mation cha ging petitione Manuel %# Si&uian! the then municipal mayo of 'nga$anan! Isabela! of the c ime of falsification of public $ocument un$e ' t# ()(! p# * of the Re"ise$ Penal +o$e file$ by Secon$ 'ssistant P o"incial Fiscal befo e , anch -- of the Regional T ial +ou t of +auayan! Isabela ea$s as follo.s/ That on o about the lst $ay of 0uly! (1)2! in the Municipality of 'nga$anan! P o"ince of Isabela! an$ .ithin the p elimina y 3u is$iction of this Hono able cou t! the accuse$ Manuel %# Si&uian! being then the Municipal Mayo of 'nga$anan! Isabela! ta4ing a$"antage of his position as such Municipal Mayo $i$ then an$ the e .ilfully! unla.fully an$ feloniously p epa e an$! sign a false $ocument! 4no.ing it to be false! to .it# 'n official communication to the +i"il Se "ice +ommissione ! $ate$ 0uly (! (1)2! .hich is e&ui e$ by la. in o $e to suppo t the appointment of a ce tain 0esusa ,# +a eon to the position of cle 4 in the Office of the Municipal Sec eta y .hich 5sic6 he appointe$ as such by stating an$ ma4ing it appea in sai$ $ocument that the e .as such a position e7isting an$ that fun$s the efo e .e e a"ailable# 8hen in t uth an$ in fact! as sai$ accuse$ .ell94no. 5sic6! the e .as no such position o item an$ no fun$s .e e a"ailable fo sai$ position in the Fiscal ,u$get of 'nga$anan fo (1)29):! no .as the e any special o $inance c eating sai$ position an$ app op iating the necessa y fun$s the efo # 777 ;Rollo! pp# <=9<*#> ?pon a aignment! petitione plea$e$ not guilty to the offense cha ge$ an$ the t ial of the case ensue$# The facts as foun$ by the Regional T ial +ou t 5RT+6 a e as follo.s/ It appea s f om the e"i$ence that sometime in 0une (1)2! 0esusa +a eon! <@ yea s ol$! single an$ a esi$ent of Ilagan! Isabela! .ent to the accuse$ Manuel %# Si&uian! Mayo of the Municipality of 'nga$anan! P o"ince of Isabela! to apply fo employment in the office of the Mayo # Ea lie ! she an$ he f ien$s .ent to the Municipal Hall of 'nga$anan to as4 info mation if the e .as any "acancy# 8hen she .as info me$ that the e .as! she .ent to see the accuse$ in his house# The accuse$ must ha"e ag ee$ to appoint he because he accompanie$ he to the office of the Municipal Sec eta y! Emilio ValenAuela# The latte ! ho.e"e ! .as not the e# E"en so! the accuse$ tol$ 0esusa +a eon to epo t fo .o 4 the follo.ing $ay an$ that she shoul$ be inclu$e$ in the bu$get# The accuse$ then accompanie$ he to the Office of the Municipal T easu e ! +alo ,attung the t easu e ag ee$ that she coul$ epo t fo .o 4# One .ee4 afte ! 0esusa +a eon .ent alone to the Office of the Municipal Sec eta y# He .as the e# 8hen she .ent to the accuse$! she .as tol$ to go bac4 to the Municipal Sec eta y to .o 4 fo he appointment pape s# She .as appointe$ cle 4 to the Municipal Sec eta y in the Office of the Municipal Sec eta y! on 0uly (! (1)2 by the accuse$# 777

Page 2 of 5 Falsification by Public Employee

'ccompanying he appointment is the ce tification! among othe s! of the a"ailability of fun$s +S Fo m No# <@=6 $ate$ 0uly (! (1)2! issue$ by the accuse$ Manuel %# Si&uian! pu suant to the e&ui ements of Memo an$um +i cula No# 2! Se ies of (1)2! a$$ esse$ to the +ommissione of +i"il Se "ice! Manila 5E7h# B+B6# 777 0esusa +a eon too4 he oath of Office 5E7h# B'9lB6 on 0uly (! (1)2! an$ p omptly began to .o 4 on the same $ay# He monthly sala y .as P (<@#@@# She en$e e$ se "ices fo the months of 0uly! 'ugust! Septembe ! Octobe ! No"embe an$ Decembe (1)2 5E7hibits B,B! B,9lB to B,92B6# She .as not! ho.e"e ! pai$# 's ea ly as Octobe (1)2! she .ent to the Municipal T easu e to ecei"e he sala y! but she .as tol$ that the e .as no money yet# In No"embe (1)2! she .ent to see the accuse$! but the latte tol$ he to see the t easu e # She .ent to the t easu e .ho tol$ he that the e .as no money# because of this! she .ent to the Sangguniang Panlala.igan at the P o"incial +apitol in Ilagan! Isabela! to as4 5sic6 info mation ega $ing he unpai$ sala ies# She .as inte "ie.e$ by 'tty# Ef en 'mb osia P o"incial '$minist ato # 'tty# 'mb osio as4e$ he if she ha$ complete appointment pape s# he eafte ! she file$ he "e ifie$ complaint $ate$ 'p il <@! (1):! against the accuse$# He complaint is a$$ esse$ to Co"e no Faustino N# Dy 5E7hibit BCB an$ BC9(B6# It also appea s f om the e"i$ence that the Municipal council of 'nga$anan! Isabela! faile$ to enact the annual bu$get fo the municipality fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1): 5E7hs# BHB! BH9lB! an$ BH9<B6# 'cco $ingly! an$ pu suant to PD No# *))! the annual bu$get fo the p e"ious Fiscal Dea (1)*9(1)2! .as $eeme$ e9enacte$ 5E7h# BH9 lB6# Thus! the Municipal Plantilla of Pe sonnel fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1): is the same as the Plantilla of Pe sonnel fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1):# No supplemental bu$get .as enacte$ by the municipal council of 'nga$anan# In the Plantilla of Pe sonnel fo (1)*9(1)2! .hich .as $eeme$ e9enacte$ fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1):! the e .as no ne. item o app op iation fo the position of cle 4 in the Office of the Municipal Sec eta y of 'nga$anan! Isabela# The ne. position of cle 4 in the office of the Municipal +ouncil appea ing in the Municipal Plantilla fo Pe sonnel 5E7hibit BH9<B6 fo (1)*9 (1)2! .as fille$ up as ea ly as Octobe (:! (1)* by the accuse$ .hen he appointe$ +la ita C# Rami eA to that position 5E7hibits B0B an$ B09<B6# 8ith espect to the ne. position of a +le 4 to the office of the Municipal Mayo in the Plantilla fo (1)*9(1)2! it .as al ea$y fille$9up by the appointment of Miss Ma i"ic '# Tallo$ on 0une (:! (1)2! by the accuse$ 5E7hibits BEB an$ BE9*B6# 's ea ly as 0une <F! (1)*! the same position .as hel$ by Miss Felici$a$ Visitacion .ho .as appointe$ by the accuse$! but she esigne$ 5E7hs# BEB an$ BE9lB6# 777 ;Rollo! pp# <:! <F! <19=@#> 'fte t ial! the +ou t foun$ the petitione guilty beyon$ easonable $oubt of the c ime cha ge$ an$ $ec ee$/ 8HEREFORE! fin$ing the accuse$ Manuel %# Si&uian guilty beyon$ easonable $oubt of the c ime of falsification of public $ocument as cha ge$ in the info mation! the +ou t he eby sentences sai$ accuse$ to suffe an in$ete minate penalty of f om FIVE 526 DE'RS! EICHT 5F6 MONTHS an$ ONE 5(6 D'D of prision correctional 5sic6 as minimum to SEVEN DE'RS of prision mayor as ma7imum an$ to pay a fine of THREE THO?S'ND 5P =!@@@#@@6 PESOS# SO ORDERED# ;Rollo! p# =2#> On appeal! the espon$ent +ou t of 'ppeals ule$ as follo.s/ 8HEREFORE! the $ecision appeale$ f om is in acco $ance .ith la. an$ the e"i$ence an$ is he eby the efo e affi me$# +osts against the accuse$9 appellant# SO ORDERED# ;Rollo! p# *<#> Hence! this petition fo e"ie. see4ing e"e sal of the +' $ecision an$ the ac&uittal of petitione Manuel %# Si&uian# Petitione conten$s that the espon$ent cou t has $eci$e$ a &uestion of substance not in acco $ .ith la. an$ 3u isp u$ence .hen it affi me$ the $ecision of the t ial cou t con"icting him of the c ime of falsification $espite the follo.ing

Page 3 of 5 Falsification by Public Employee

'# The e"i$ence on eco $ .hich consists of the testimony of the p osecutionGs p incipal .itness! sho.s the absence of c iminal intent on the pa t of the accuse$# ,# The e is no e"i$ence that the accuse$ too4 a$"antage of his position as Municipal Mayo .hen he ma$e the allege$ly falsifie$ ce tification# +# The statement that BFun$s fo the position a e a"ailableB is not a na ation of facts but a conclusion of la.# D# The petitione .as $ep i"e$ of his ight to $ue p ocess of la. .hen the t ial cou t p ocee$e$ .ith the t ial in his absence $espite a pen$ing petition fo change of "enue .ith the Sup eme +ou t# ;Rollo! p# (=#> Petitione Gs a guments! ho.e"e ! a e be eft of any me it# The offense of falsification by a public office un$e ' ticle ()( of the Re"ise$ Penal +o$e is committe$ by Bany public office ! employee o nota y .ho! ta4ing a$"antage of his official position! shall falsify a $ocument by committing any of the follo.ing acts/ # # # *# Ma4ing unt uthful statements in a na ation of factH # # #G It is settle$ that in this fou th 4in$ of falsification! the follo.ing e&uisites must concu / 5a6 That the offen$e ma4es in a $ocument untruthful statements in a narration of facts; 5b6 hat he has a legal obligation to $isclose the t uth of the facts na ate$ by himH an$ 5c6 That the facts na ate$ by the offen$e a e absolutely false +abigas "# People! C#R# No# :)*)<! 0uly =! (1F)! (2< S+R' (F# 'll these e&uisites ha$ been fully met in the case at ba # Petitione ! a public office ! being then the mayo of the municipality of 'nga$anan! Isabela! ma$e an unt uthful statement in the na ation of facts containe$ in the ce tification .hich he issue$ in connection .ith the appointment of complainant 0esusa +a eon# The ce tification! ha"ing been issue$ by a public official in the e7e cise of the function of his office is a public $ocument ;?#S# "# 'sensi! =* Phil# ):2 5(1(26># It is immate ial .hethe o not the +i"il Se "ice +ommissione to .hom the ce tification .as a$$ esse$ ecei"e$ the $ocument issue$ by petitione # Since the ce tification .as p epa e$ by petitione in acco $ance .ith the stan$a $ fo ms p esc ibe$ by the go"e nment 5specifically the +i"il Se "ice +ommission6 pu suant to la.! the ce tification .as in"este$ .ith the cha acte of a public $ocument ;People "# 'sensi! supra citing ?#S# "# Vy Cuico! (< Phil# <@1 5(1@F6> falsification of .hich is punishable un$e ' ticle ()( of the Re"ise$ Penal +o$e# He e! falsification of such $ocument .as committe$ .hen the petitione state$ that fun$s .e e a"ailable fo the position to .hich 0esusa +a eon .as appointe$ .hen he 4ne. that! in eality! the position itself $i$ not e"en e7ist an$ no fun$s ha$ been app op iate$ the efo # Petitione Gs stance that the ce tification .hich he issue$ containe$ no na ation of facts but athe a conclusion of la. is not me ito ious# The espon$ent cou t! uphol$ing the Solicito Cene alGs a guments! co ectly ule$ as follo.s/ +onclusion of la.B is $efine$ as a p oposition not a i"e$ at by any p ocess of natu al easoning f om a fact o combination of facts state$ but by the application of the a tificial ules of la. to the facts plea$e$ ;%e"ins "# Ro"egno! )( +al# <)=! (< p# (:(H ,lac4Gs %a. Dict#! p# =:<># F om the abo"e9cite$ $efinition! it can be $e$uce$ that the ce tification by the appellant that Gfun$s fo the position a e a"ailableG $oes not e&ui e the application of the a tificial ules of la.# To certify that funds are a ailable for the position what one should do was !sic" to refer to the budget and plantilla of personnel of the applicable fiscal year and ascertain if such item e#ists and funds are allocated therefor. In the p esent case! $espite the p esence of the eco $s .hich sho.s that the e is no position an$ fun$s the efo efe e$ to in the ce tification! the appellant! fully a.a e of the $ata p o"i$e$ by the eco $s! ce tifie$ falsely that Bfun$s fo the position a e a"ailableB ;Rollo! p# *(6# It is un$ispute$ that the Municipal +ouncil of 'nga$anan faile$ to enact the annual bu$get of the municipality fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1): an$ the efo e! the annual bu$get fo the last fiscal yea ! (1)*9(1)2! .as $eeme$ e9enacte$ un$e P#D# No# *))# In the Municipal Plantilla of Pe sonnel 5E7h# B,9<B6 accompanying the 'nnual ,u$get fo the Municipality of 'nga$anan! Isabela fo the Fiscal Dea (1)*9(1)2! the e is no such position as +le 4 to the Municipal Sec eta y in the Office of the Municipal Sec eta y! the position to .hich 0esusa +a eon .as appointe$# 'cco $ingly! the e is no app op iation ma$e in the

Page # of 5 Falsification by Public Employee

'nnual ,u$get fo the Fiscal Dea (1)*9(1)2 fo such position! thus en$e ing petitione Gs statement in his ce tification utte ly false# The e&uisite of absolute falsity of the statement ma$e in the $ocument is met .hen the e e7ists not e"en an iota of colo able t uth in .hat is $ecla e$ in the na ation of facts ;?#S# "# ,ayot! (@ Phil# 2(F 5(1@F6>! as in this case# F om the fo egoing! it can be seen that the fi st an$ thi $ e&ui ements lai$ $o.n in the Cabigas case! supra$ a e fully satisfie$# The secon$ element of the offense is li4e.ise p esent# ?n$e the ci"il se "ice ules an$ egulations! specifically the Guidelines in the %reparation of &ppointment for 'riginal &ppointment 5E7hs# BDB an$ BD9=B6! a ce tification of the a"ailability of fun$s fo the position to be fille$ up is e&ui e$ to be signe$ by the hea$ of office o any office .ho has been $elegate$ the autho ity to sign# 's an office autho iAe$ by la. to issue this ce tification .hich is $esignate$ as +i"il Se "ice Fo m No# <@=! as e"ise$! the petitione has a legal obligation to $isclose the t uth of the facts na ate$ by him in sai$ ce tification .hich inclu$es info mation as to the a"ailability of the fun$s fo the position being fille$ up# +ont a y to petitione Gs claim! the e7istence of a . ongful intent to in3u e a thi $ pe son is not necessa y .hen the falsifie$ $ocument is a public $ocument# This has al ea$y been autho itati"ely $ec ee$ in the (122 case of %eople . %o Gio( To ;1: Phil# 1(= 5(1226># The +ou t in the afo ementione$ case e7plicitly state$ that . ongful intent on the pa t of the accuse$ to in3u e a thi $ pe son is not an essential element of the c ime of falsification of public $ocument# The ationale fo this p incipal $istinction bet.een falsification of public an$ p i"ate $ocuments has been state$ by the +ou t in this .ise/ BIn the falsification of public o official $ocuments! .hethe by public officials o p i"ate pe sons! it is unnecessa y that the e be p esent the I$ea of gain o the intent to in3u e a thi $ pe son! fo the eason that! in cont a$istinction to p i"ate $ocuments! the p incipal thing punishe$ is the "iolation of the public faith an$ the $est uction of t uth as the ein solemnly p oclaime$B ;People "# Po Cio4 To! supra at 1(F! citing People "# Pacana! *) Phil# *F 5(1<*6># In falsification of public $ocuments the efo e! the cont olling consi$e ation is the public cha acte of a $ocument an$ the e7istence of any p e3u$ice cause$ to thi $ pe sons o ! at least! the intent to cause such $amage becomes immate ial ;People "# Pacana! supra># Petitione Gs plea fo ac&uittal on the g oun$ that the e"i$ence fo the p osecution sho.s the absence of c iminal intent on his pa t must be $enie$# 8hile this +ou t has $ecla e$ goo$ faith as a "ali$ $efense to falsification of public $ocuments by ma4ing unt uthful statements in a na ation of facts ;?#S# "# San 0ose! ) Phil# :@* 5(1@)6>! such $efense cannot se "e to e7one ate the petitione since the element of goo$ faith has not clea ly been sho.n to e7ist in the case at ba # ?n$e the applicable la. at the time! petitione ! as municipal mayo of 'nga$anan! Isabela p esi$es at all meetings of the municipal council ;Section <:<( 5$6! Re"ise$ '$minist ati"e +o$e> an$ signs all o $inances an$ esolutions passe$ by the municipal council ;Section <:<* 5c6! Re"ise$ '$minist ati"e +o$e># He .as thus a.a e that 5(6 fo failu e to enact a bu$get fo the Fiscal Dea (1)29(1):! O $inance No# V of the Municipal +ouncil of 'nga$anan! Isabela .hich .as the Municipal 'nnual ,u$get of 'nga$anan! Isabela fo Fiscal Dea (1)*9(1)2 .as e9enacte$ an$ 5<6 that un$e the Municipal Plantilla of Pe sonnel fo that fiscal yea ! the e .e e no fun$s app op iate$ fo the position of cle 4 to the municipal sec eta y# His 4no.le$ge of these facts is sho.n by the fact that he e"en affi7e$ his signatu e in attestation to the co ectness of these $ocumentsH i.e. O $inance No# V an$ Municipal Plantilla of Pe sonnel# ;See E7hs# BH9(B an$ BH9<B! Fol$e of E7hibits! pp# <)9=<># He cannot claim goo$ faith in issuing a ce tification of the a"ailability of fun$s fo the &uestione$ position since at the time he issue$ such ce tification on 0uly (! (1)2! the fiscal yea (1)29 (1): ha$ al ea$y commence$ an$ no ne. o $inance c eating the ne. position to .hich he appointe$ 0esusa +a eon ha$ been enacte$ by the municipal council# In "ie. of the fo egoing consi$e ations! petitione must be hel$ c iminally liable fo his act of issuing the absolutely false ce tification as to the a"ailability of fun$s fo the sub3ect position# The la. consi$e s his act c iminal since it amounts to an unt uthful statement in a na ation of facts in a public $ocument ;' ticle ()( 5*6! Re"ise$ Penal +o$e># + iminal intent an$ the .ill to commit a c ime a e p esume$ to e7ist on the pa t of the pe son .ho e7ecutes an act .hich the la. punishes! unless the cont a y shall appea ;?nite$ States "# 'postol! (* Phil# 1< 5(1@16># In this case! the p esumption that petitione committe$ the act .ith c iminal intention! .hich a ose f om p oof of his commission of the unla.ful act! stan$s un ebutte$# Petitione Gs claim that the e .as no sho.ing that he too4 a$"antage of his official position in falsifying the $ocument shoul$ li4e.ise be e3ecte$# This essential element of falsification of a public $ocument by public office e&ui es that the offen$e )abuse his office o use the influences p estige o ascen$ancy .hich his office gi"es him! in committing the c imeB ;?#S# "# Ro$ igueA! (1 Phil# (2@ 5(1((6># 'buse of public office is consi$e e$ p esent .hen the offen$e falsifies a $ocument in connection .ith the $uties of his office .hich consist of eithe ma4ing o p epa ing o othe .ise inte "ening in the p epa ation

Page 5 of 5 Falsification by Public Employee

of a $ocument ;?#S# "# Inosanto <@ Phil# =): 5(1((6H People "# Santiago ?y! (@( Phil# (21 5(12)6>! as in the case of petitione .ho .as cha ge$ .ith the $uty of issuing the ce tification necessa y fo the appointment of 0esusa +a eon# Finally! the allege$ $enial of $ue p ocess of la. committe$ by the t ial cou t .hen it p ocee$e$ .ith the t ial of the case in the absence of the petitione $espite a pen$ing petition fo change of "enue .ith the Sup eme +ou t is totally unfoun$e$# ' ca eful an$ tho ough e"ie. of the eco $ e"eals that petitione ha$ been affo $e$ $ue p ocess .hen the t ial cou t! in "ie. of the absence of petitione ! g ante$ continuances to enable the $efense to p esent its e"i$ence although the p osecution ha$ este$ its case as ea ly as Decembe )! (1)F# ;See O iginal Reco $s! p# <2=! et se*.> It is a basic postulate in la. that .hat is epugnant to $ue p ocess is not lac4 of p e"ious notice but absolute lac4 of oppo tunity to be hea $ ;Ta3one a "# %ama oAa! C#R# Nos# %9*F@1) I *1@=2! Decembe (1! (1F(! ((@ S+R' *=F># Hence! this +ou t lai$ $o.n this c ite ion to $ete mine .hethe an accuse$ in a c iminal case has been p ope ly acco $e$ $ue p ocess of la./ # # # 5I6f an accuse$ has been hea $ in a cou t of competent 3u is$iction an$ p ocee$e$ against un$e the o $e ly p ocesses of la.! an$ only punishe$ afte in&ui y an$ in"estigation! upon notice to him! with an opportunity to be heard$ an$ a 3u$gment a.a $e$ .ithin the autho ity of a constitutional la.! then he has ha$ $ue p ocess of la.# # # # ;People "# Muit C#R# No# %9*FF)2! Octobe <(! (1F<! (() S+R' :1: citing People "# +astillo! )): Phil# )= 5(1*:6H Emphasis supplie$#> Thus! the e is no $enial of $ue p ocess .hen an accuse$ is affo $e$ the chance to p esent e"i$ence on his behalf but $ue to his epeate$! un3ustifiable failu e to appea at the hea ings! the t ial cou t o $e e$ the case to be $eeme$ submitte$ upon the e"i$ence p esente$ by the p osecution# Fo un$e such ci cumstances! he .ill be $eeme$ to ha"e .ai"e$ his ight to be p esent $u ing the t ial ;Section ( 5c6! Rule ((2 of the Re"ise$ Rules of +ou t> an$ his ight to a$$uce e"i$ence on his behalf ;People "# 'ngco! (@= Phil# == 5(12F6#> It is t ue that he file$ a petition fo change of "enue .ith the Sup eme +ou t# Ho.e"e ! on the $ate set fo the hea ing of the petitione Gs u gent motion to suspen$ the p ocee$ings in the t ial cou t $ue to the pen$ency of the petition fo change of "enue! he also faile$ to appea ;See O $e $ate$ 0anua y (F! (1F2! O iginal Reco $s! p# *<F># In fact! 'tty# Romeo +ali7to! one of the counsel fo the petitione ! manifeste$ befo e the t ial cou t that he .as 9 .ith$ a.ing as counsel fo his client fo the eason that he has lost contact .ith the latte .ho al ea$y .ent ab oa$ ; See O iginal Reco $s! p# *=2># Hence! the t ial cou t cannot be faulte$ fo en$e ing its $ecision on the basis solely of the e"i$ence p esente$ by the p osecution# $HERE ORE, %h& a''&a(&" "&c)*)o! +&)!, )! co!-or.)%/ 0)%h (a0 a!" *&%%(&" 12r)*'r2"&!c&, %h& *a.& )* A a!" %h& )!*%a!% '&%)%)o! )* h&r&+/ 3ENIE3. SO OR3ERE3. IRME3