G.R. No. L-2424

FACTS:
Dionisio Ceferino was convicted, along with Generoso Hernandez, for the crime of falsifying and passing counterfeit revenue stamps under Article 297 of the Penal Code. Hernandez withdrew his appeal, leaving only Ceferino’s case for review. The prosecution’s evidence showed that counterfeit internal-revenue stamps were received by several banks in Manila. However, the only evidence linking Ceferino to the crime was his alleged written confession made while in police custody. In that confession, he stated he bought $80 worth of stamps from Amado F. Roque in June 1903 and sold them to Exequiel A. Serrano. It was not established in the confession that these stamps were counterfeit. Roque was acquitted of the same charge, and Serrano, also acquitted, testified for the prosecution and denied ever buying stamps from Ceferino. There was no evidence connecting the stamps Ceferino allegedly sold to Serrano in June 1903 with the counterfeit stamps passed to the banks in January 1904.

ISSUE:
Was the evidence presented at the trial sufficient to sustain the conviction of Dionisio Ceferino for the crime of falsifying and passing counterfeit revenue stamps?

RULING:
No. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment and sentence as to Dionisio Ceferino and acquitted him. The Court held that the evidence was insufficient for conviction. The alleged confession did not state the stamps were counterfeit, and the individuals named therein were either acquitted or denied the transaction. There was a complete absence of evidence linking Ceferino to the specific counterfeit stamps received by the banks. The prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Ceferino was ordered set at liberty immediately.