GR 38076; (November, 1933) (Digest)
G.R. No. 38076 ; November 4, 1933
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. EDUVIGIO MENDOZA, BALTAZAR CALIBOT, and VIDAL CORTEZ, defendants-appellants.
FACTS
Defendants, members of the board of inspectors for Precinct No. 7 in Calapan, Mindoro, were convicted by the trial court for violating section 2654 of the Administrative Code (fraudulent deposit of ballots). The prosecution alleged that after the counting of ballots, the defendants deposited 51 unauthorized ballots into the official ballot box to favor their political faction. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on the testimonies of two witnesses from the opposing political faction, who claimed to have witnessed irregularities. The defense appealed, challenging the sufficiency and credibility of the evidence.
ISSUE
Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants fraudulently deposited ballots into the ballot box in violation of section 2654 of the Administrative Code.
RULING
No. The Supreme Court reversed the conviction and acquitted the defendants. The Court found the testimonies of the prosecution’s main witnesses unreliable and insufficient to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt. One witness wilfully abandoned his duty as an inspector without a credible excuse, and the other gave uncertain testimony. Moreover, there was no evidence that the alleged deposit of ballots was done fraudulently or that it affected the election results. The English text of section 2654 required a fraudulent act, which was not proven. The evidence failed to support the inference that the defendants intended to favor their faction in a potential election protest.
AI Generated by Armztrong.